Warrick County, IN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Warrick County Code § 92.25 bars digging up, cutting, restricting, closing, or removing any county street, highway, or right-of-way, including a sidewalk under § 92.28, without a permit issued by the county. Section 92.26 exempts a public utility company only when it must act immediately to preserve life or property, make an emergency inspection, or complete an emergency repair, but that utility still has to get the permit on the first working day after the work starts. To apply, § 92.27 requires the applicant to file on county forms, pay a $250 permit fee for each separate location dug up, cut, or removed, and designate how they will meet the security requirement of § 92.29; that fee money and any collected fines go into the County Highway Maintenance Fund 1176.

Section 92.29 requires security guaranteeing restoration, either a two-year corporate surety bond, an irrevocable two-year letter of credit, or a cash deposit of at least $500, held by the County Auditor in the street cut fund and refunded, without interest, once the work is inspected and accepted. A public utility company may instead file a single $50,000 bond under § 92.30 covering all its digging in the right-of-way. Once approved, § 92.28 has the County Commissioners issue a permit describing the work, the extent of disturbance allowed, and how long the permit is valid, with a copy kept on site during the work.

Section 92.32 sets minimum backfill and resurfacing standards, including compacted six-inch fill layers, at least six inches of concrete under paved areas topped with four inches of surface material, and sidewalks restored to match the adjoining undisturbed sidewalk.