Sandy, UT Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Sandy City Code Chapter 10-1 governs all private and commercial work in the public way, defined in § 10-1-1 to include rights-of-way, footpaths, walkways, sidewalks, streets, roads, alleys, and drainage ways. Section 10-1-2 requires anyone who wants to perform work there, from a utility trench to a homeowner's new driveway approach, to apply for a permit from the City Engineer, who weighs the right-of-way's capacity, the risk of damage to existing facilities, and the extent traffic will be interrupted before approving it. Section 10-1-3 limits who may even apply: state-licensed general contractors, franchise providers, a property owner installing, replacing, or maintaining a sidewalk or driveway approach adjacent to their own property, and anyone needing to occupy the right-of-way in a non-vehicular way, such as erecting scaffolding, staging a crane, hanging an awning or sign, or trimming trees.

A Traffic Plan meeting the MUTCD must be approved before work starts, and a preconstruction meeting with the City Engineer is required once a trench reaches 350 linear feet. Hand-digging for sprinkler repair in non-traveled areas is the one exception that needs no permit. Before issuance, an applicant must carry $1,000,000 per-occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate general liability insurance (§ 10-1-14) and post a minimum $10,000 excavation bond (§ 10-1-15), though a homeowner doing concrete work in the right-of-way is exempt from the bond and may substitute a homeowner's insurance policy. A denial, suspension, or revocation can be appealed in writing to the Public Works Director within ten days.