Schenectady, NY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 228, Subsurface Space of Streets, regulates vaults, defined in § 228-37 as any opening below the surface of a street in front of a shop, store, house or other building or lot, if covered over; gas, electric and water service openings are excluded. Section 228-38 gives the City Engineer authority to grant a license for constructing a vault or covered area in the streets, or to continue one already built, so long as the City Engineer finds no injury or unwarranted inconvenience will result to the City or the public.

Section 228-39 backs that up with a flat prohibition: no person may cause a vault or covered area to be constructed, made, altered, repaired or modified in any City street, sidewalk or other property without the written license. Applying is a paperwork-heavy process under § 228-40, requiring a duplicate written application signed by the owner or lessee, with scale drawings showing the exact sidewalk location, dimensions and specifications, kept on file with the City Engineer as a public record. Once the City Engineer signs off, § 228-41 requires Corporation Counsel-approved license paperwork, and § 228-42 sets the license fee at just $1, payable to the City Treasurer, after which the Building Inspector countersigns the license and files the duplicate application.

Section 228-43 requires the applicant to post a bond or insurance running to the City, covering damages up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. The City Engineer can deny any application outright under § 228-45 if the public interest requires it, and licensees remain on the hook afterward: § 228-46 makes the licensee responsible for keeping the vault safe and in repair, and any later repair or replacement needs its own building permit.