Wellington, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Sec. 20-5 of the Wellington Code, in Chapter 20's rights-of-way article, is the Village's general encroachment-permit provision. Subsection A requires review and a permit from the Public Works Department and/or the Engineering Department for all work, activities, or construction proposed in a Wellington right-of-way or easement and for all structures proposed to be erected, located, or maintained there, unless Florida law or the Code expressly exempts the activity. Subsection B requires the permit to be displayed at the work site through every phase of the job.

The section then itemizes specific encroachments: single-trunk palms may be planted in a right-of-way with Public Works approval (subsection C); landscaping is limited to sod and trees, and no shrub or hedge may go in without a permit (subsection D); open cut and jack-and-bore work needs Public Works approval and a permit (subsection E); and walls, entrance features, signage, and fencing in a right-of-way must be reviewed and permitted by Public Works (subsection F). Swale markers are capped at 12 inches in diameter and four inches in height (subsection G), and swales must keep their original shape and grade, with the swale center along local 60-foot rights-of-way generally running eight inches below the road centerline or the back of sidewalk (subsection H).

Sec. 20-6 carves out two narrow exemptions: mailboxes placed to receive mail, and properly packaged trash set on an unpaved right-of-way no more than 24 hours before pickup. Fees for the permit are set by Council resolution under the Village's Permit and Inspection Fee Schedule, per Sec. 20-7.