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

Article VII of Chapter 206, adopted 3-26-2007 by the City Council of the City of West Haven, is the code's permit for private objects standing in the public way. Public right-of-way covers any area owned or maintained by the City or another governmental entity and open to vehicular or pedestrian travel, including roadways, sidewalks, streets, alleys and public grounds. The article states its purpose as protecting public safety and welfare and allowing orderly distribution of publications, and it disclaims any intent to regulate constitutionally protected printed material.

Applications go to the Building Department in writing and list the applicant's name and business address, a telephone number for normal business hours, and the proposed location of each newsrack (§ 206-44). Adding a rack means amending the permit and paying the fee again. Permits are issued or denied within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, at $25 a year for each proposed location. A permit is valid for one year, is renewed through the same procedure, and expires automatically if the required insurance lapses (§ 206-45).

Every applicant files a hold-harmless statement in a form satisfactory to the Corporation Counsel (§ 206-46) and provides a certificate of liability insurance from a company licensed in Connecticut, with minimum coverage of $100,000 aggregate for personal injury claims and for property damage claims and no cancellation without 30 days' written notice to the City (§ 206-47).

Other private uses of the street need their own permits. A rubbish container (dumpster) on any street, highway or sidewalk requires a permit from the Director of Public Works (§ 119-5), and any opening or excavation within or under a street, highway or sidewalk needs a permit from the Director of Public Works (§ 206-21) at $15 for each excavation job (§ 206-36).