Springfield, MO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- License required; privilege, not a right
- Fees
- Application and license fees apply
- Location
- Springfield, Greene County, Missouri
- Unauthorized use
- Declared a public nuisance
Summary
Springfield, Missouri treats any structure, sign or fixture placed on a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way as an unauthorized encroachment unless the city grants a license, and calls that permission a revocable privilege, not a right.
It is the policy of the city to prohibit encroachments on, in, over or under any public street, public sidewalk or public right-of-way, unless authorized by the city. The granting of permission to any person to construct, install or place an encroachment on public property is a privilege, not a right, and may be withheld by the city, in its discretion, it being the city's policy to limit the number of authorized encroachments.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, awnings, canopies, projecting signs or fixtures attached to structures shall be submitted to the department of building development services for the required review and building code permit.
(G.O. No. 6079, § 1, 9-23-2013; G.O. No. 6140, § 1, 9-22-2014)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Springfield City Code § 98-320 sets the city's policy of prohibiting encroachments, anything built, installed or placed on, in, over or under a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way, unless the city authorizes it. Permission is a privilege the city may withhold at its discretion, consistent with a stated policy of limiting how many encroachments it authorizes. Awnings, canopies and projecting signs attached to buildings instead go through building development services for a building-code permit. Unauthorized encroachments are declared a public nuisance under §§ 98-322 and 98-326.
Violations & Fines
Unauthorized encroachments are a declared public nuisance; unattached ones may be summarily removed, and attached ones must be removed on notice, with removal and attorney costs billed to the property owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put something in the Springfield right-of-way?
Is an encroachment permit guaranteed once I apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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