Stratford, CT Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 186-35 is the permit rule for private construction in a Stratford street. No person can construct in any street in the Town any driveway approach or any curb, sidewalk or combined curb and gutter without first obtaining a permit from the Town Engineer, and no construction work can be done until the permit is issued. The permit is good only for work that conforms to the lines and grades established by the Town Engineer, and any deviation is deemed construction without a permit.

The applicant side is regulated too. A license to perform the work is issued by the Director of Public Works, with a fee set out in § 62-1 of the Stratford Town Code (§ 186-36). Applicants file a certificate of liability insurance of not less than $500,000 and sign an indemnity agreement with the Town (§ 186-37), and licenses expire on the first day of April following issue (§ 186-38). Permit applications go in writing on forms from the Town Engineer's office, are submitted by a licensed contractor, governmental agency or public service company, and the permit must be posted at the work location (§ 186-39).

There are exceptions. Repairs to existing curbs, sidewalks, curbs and gutters or driveway approaches do not need a permit if they meet §§ 186-45 through 186-48 (§ 186-41), and a driveway approach made solely by grading the natural surface needs none (§ 186-42(B)). Design limits include a private driveway approach no wider than 24 feet at the taking line and sidewalks of concrete with a minimum depth of four inches (§ 186-45). Along state-controlled roads, state approval must be shown first (§ 186-48(B)).

Openings and excavations in town roadways fall under Article III instead: § 186-16 requires a permit and the direction of the Director of Public Works. Separately, § 186-70 allows roadside memorials along a public sidewalk, roadway or right of way for not more than 90 days, with no dimension over three feet.