South Fulton, GA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Sec. 17-4005 requires the utility owner or contractor to obtain authorization from the public works director before installing or relocating any utility facility that may occupy or encroach on a right-of-way acquired for city projects or on the South Fulton Municipal Street System. A written permit is required for all initial installations, and for relocations or adjustments not already covered by a prior written permit or an indemnity agreement. The companion permitting section, Sec. 17-4009, spells out the process: the public works department must review a complete application and, where practicable, issue the permit within 20 days, with joint applications from two or more parties expedited to ten days.

The director may deny a permit where the applicant previously worked without a permit or violated prior permit terms, and may require a cash deposit or irrevocable letter of credit as a condition of approval; any denial must be explained in writing within 20 days. There is no permit fee, but the applicant reimburses the city for reasonable inspection and repair costs, and separately posts a performance bond and liability insurance of at least $200,000 in property damage and $1,000,000 per-person injury coverage, capped at $2,000,000 per occurrence, before work begins.

Work must start within 12 months of issuance or the permit lapses, and restoration of the right-of-way to preconstruction condition must be finished within 15 business days of the end of construction. A denied applicant may appeal to the city manager and, after that, petition the Fulton County Superior Court for writ of certiorari.