Walton County, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit approval
- Board of County Commissioners must approve first
- Base fee
- $25.00 plus $0.10 per foot of easement
- Minimum bond
- $5,000.00 for up to 5,000 feet
- Additional bond
- $1,000.00 per extra 1,000 feet of easement
- Restoration duty
- Right-of-way restored to original condition
Summary
Before installing any underground or aerial utility line in a Walton County road right-of-way, in unincorporated Walton County, the utility owner must get a permit approved by the Board of County Commissioners, pay a $25.00 fee plus $0.10 per foot of easement, and post a bond starting at $5,000.00. The right-of-way must be restored to its original condition once work is done.
(b)Permit required. A permit must be approved by the board of county commissioners before any underground or aerial utility is installed on the right-of-way. A permit form may be obtained from the office of the board of county commissioners. This permit form must be completed and returned to the board of county commissioners for approval before any construction is begun.(c)Permit fee. A permit fee of $25.00 plus $0.10 per foot for easement lease shall be charged at the time the permit is approved. This fee shall cover the cost incurred by the county for inspections. The applicant shall also post a minimum bond of $5,000.00 for up to 5,000 feet of easement, plus an additional $1,000.00 bond per additional 1,000 feet of easement.
Full Breakdown
Section 16-1 of Chapter 16, Roads and Bridges, governs private and utility use of the county's road rights-of-way in unincorporated Walton County. The section defines a "utility permit" as documented Board of County Commissioners permission to install underground or aerial utilities on the right-of-way, defines "utilities" broadly to include privately, publicly or cooperatively owned lines and systems for communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, water, steam, waste or stormwater not tied to highway drainage, and defines "right-of-way" as land the county owns or has the right to use for a road and its structures.
Subsection (b) requires Board approval of a permit before any underground or aerial utility installation begins on the right-of-way; the applicant obtains a permit form from the Board's office, completes it, and returns it for approval before construction starts. 00 bond required for each additional 1,000 feet. Subsection (d) requires the applicant to restore all county property disturbed by the work to its original condition as far as practical, to the county's specifications and satisfaction. Subsection (e) requires all engineering for utility placement in the right-of-way to comply with the state Department of Transportation's utility accommodation guide.
The chapter cross-references Chapter 21, Utilities, for related utility-service regulation, and the section has stood since Ordinance No. 85-3 in 1985 without a later amendment noted in the code.
Violations & Fines
Section 16-1 does not itself set a stand-alone fine schedule; installing a utility line in a Walton County right-of-way without Board approval, or failing to restore the right-of-way to its original condition afterward, exposes the installer to the county's general code compliance process, including a citation before the Code Compliance Special Magistrate, plus liability for the cost of any repair or restoration the county performs itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install a utility line in a Walton County road right-of-way?
What does a Walton County utility right-of-way permit cost?
Who has to restore the right-of-way after utility work in Walton County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Walton County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Walton County to another location·View the Florida sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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