Richland County, SC Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 21-24(a)(1) requires an encroachment permit "approved by the county engineer's office" for all construction by anyone other than the county public works department or its contractor "within or affecting the right-of-way of any county maintained highway, street or road," naming driveway connections and curb cuts, utility taps and installations, excavations within rights-of-way, storm drainage work, and subdivision entrance signs or gateways as examples that trigger the requirement. Section 21-24(a)(2) and (3) put the burden on the permittee to indemnify the county for any damage the encroachment causes and to notify the county engineer's office when construction starts, keep a copy of the permit on site, and get the roadway restoration approved before closing out the job.

Section 21-24(b) adds specific rules for street excavations: no more than half the width of a street or alley may be opened or obstructed at one time, the trench must be refilled and tamped within the time stated on the permit, and public-protection measures are mandatory, including barricades every five feet around any open excavation and red flags or lights spaced at least 100 feet apart to warn traffic from sunset to sunrise. A separate permit from the state or federal highway department is required if the excavation is in a state or federal highway rather than a county road.