Springfield, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Anyone who needs to encumber a Springfield street, alley, or sidewalk for construction work, such as barricades, tool sheds, trailers, or building materials, must first get a permit under Sec. 99.11. The applicant files an application with the city clerk describing the purpose, period, and extent of the use, then obtains a permit signed by the clerk and endorsed by the city traffic engineer, plus pays the required fees. Once issued, the permittee must install barricades, flashing lights, lanterns, channelizing devices, and warning signs as the traffic engineer specifies; if the permit also blocks curb parking, the holder must mount city-supplied notices on the affected parking meters.

Sec. 99.12 sets out what the application must contain. Beyond identifying the applicant, the obstructed area, and the duration, the applicant must sign a hold-harmless and indemnification statement covering the city, its officers, and employees, and carry public liability and property damage insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and for property damage, with the city named as an additional insured. That policy can't be canceled or allowed to lapse without 30 days' written notice to the city clerk, and a certificate of insurance must be filed with the application. The permit only takes effect once the city clerk approves it.

Fees are set in the neighboring Sec. 99.13: obstruction permits that block curb parking run $4.50 per metered space for each day the meter would otherwise be in effect, on top of any separate fee for a street-opening permit under Sec. 99.26. The permit requirement doesn't apply during health-or-safety emergencies; utility crews, public works staff, or a bonded contractor may correct the emergency first, but must notify police, fire, and public works before acting and then comply with the permit sections the next business day.