Wicomico County, MD Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Wicomico County Code § 197-1 requires any property owner, contractor or public utility that wants to use the county right-of-way for pipes, wires, gas mains, irrigation pipes, driveway improvements, curbs, gutters or sidewalks to obtain a permit from the Department of Public Works before starting work. The rule dates to a November 2, 1965 County Council resolution adopted because contractors and utilities had been blocking stormwater drainage along county roads. Under § 197-2, the applicant must file a written application showing the property line, the county road lines, and the exact type and location of the proposed work.

Section 197-3 lets the Department of Public Works attach reasonable conditions to protect drainage along the right-of-way and requires the applicant to restore the right-of-way to its prior condition, at the owner's, contractor's or utility's own expense, once work is complete. 1, added by Bill No. 2, added by Bill No. 2012-14, requires a separate Department of Public Works permit for anyone erecting, reconstructing, extending, altering, repairing or modifying a drainage system located in a county right-of-way or easement. Applications for encroachment work, mailbox standards, and drainage-pipe work are all handled by the Department of Public Works rather than the Planning, Zoning and Community Development office.