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Encroachment Permits
General encroachment permits grant permission to work in or block any portion of City Right of Way (ROW). General encroachment permit forms may be filled out in the Construction Engineering office located in the basement of City Hall or you can use the fill-able pdf form by using the General Encroachment Application (GEA) form link below. General encroachment permit fees are calculated using the linear footage of cut or disturbance in the ROW. A fee calculator can be found near the bottom of this page. Please read the application requirements on the form and provide all supporting documentation when you submit the application. General encroachment forms may be mailed, hand delivered or emailed to the link listed below.
Formal encroachment permits are issued to allow a portion of a building to be built under, in or over City ROW or to attach components to a building which will project into or over City ROW. The application fee is $50.00 per item/application. Only original forms are allowed to be submitted as the application must contain original signatures. Applications may be dropped off at the Construction Engineering office in City Hall or mailed directly to Construction Engineering. Use the Formal tab in the list below to access further information and current forms. Since these applications will generate a legal agreement that requires formal action by Council and/or the City Manager, these permits will take several weeks to process.
General Encroachment
The GEA form is used to apply for any construction or blockage in the City's Right of Way (ROW). Some examples are for; dumpsters, construction material storage, construction material loading/unloading, construction staging space, moving vans, single parking space usage associated with construction activities, temporary access to private property, building maintenance, water/sewer taps, utility installation, utility maintenance, driveway construction, sidewalk construction, landscaping/irrigation installation and any other construction activity.
Applicants
Typical applicants include contractors, developers, homeowners, owner representatives, sub-contractors and utility companies. Applicants / permit holders are responsible for any work that takes place under a general encroachment permit for a period of 5 years. For this reason, the City recommends that the party performing the work apply for the encroachment permit.
Applications
Applications are available online or at City Hall. In addition to completing the application, applicants must also submit a detailed drawing that includes existing features, as well as the proposed work in the City ROW. If the work involves closing sidewalks, parking spaces, traffic lanes or streets a US Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) compliant traffic control plan is also required. Applications can be submitted by mail, in person or by email. When sending via email attach the application and drawings to your email and send to encroachmentpermits@greenvillesc.gov.
- General Encroachment Application (PDF) - Use this form to request authorization for construction activity or any form of blockage within a City ROW.
Consequences
Failure to obtain encroachment permits prior to performing work or blocking any portion of City ROW will result in double encroachment permit fee charges. Failure to comply with required permitting requirements may result in verbal warnings, written warnings, stop work orders, citations with fines of $1,093.00 per day per offense, and / or other possible enforcement actions including civil and criminal action.
Construction Standards and Details
The Design and Specifications Manual (DSM) contains construction details that may apply to your proposed work.
Currently there is no fee for blocking portions of City ROW associated with a construction project. However, encroachments permits must be issued/approved before blocking any portion of City ROW.
Use the calculator below to estimate fees for excavations, cuts or other construction work in the public right of way:
Failure to obtain encroachment permits prior to performing work or blocking any portion of City ROW will result in double encroachment permit fee charges. Failure to comply with required permitting requirements may result in verbal warnings, written warnings, stop work orders, citations with fines of $1,093.00 per day per offense, and / or other possible enforcement actions including civil and criminal action.
Construction Standards and Details
The Design and Specifications Manual (DSM) contains construction details that may apply to your proposed work.
- View the City of Greenville Design and Specifications Manual (DSM) for current City construction details / files.
Currently there is no fee for blocking portions of City ROW associated with a construction project. However, encroachments permits must be issued/approved before blocking any portion of City ROW.
Use the calculator below to estimate fees for excavations, cuts or other construction work in the public right of way:
Excavation in ROW
Excavations, backfill and patching must comply with current City construction standards and/or any additional permit conditions.
All excavations in City ROW shall be back filled with acceptable back fill material, in maximum 8 inch lifts, compacted to no less than 95% standard Proctor density. The City may request testing of back fill to insure compliance with compaction requirements.
Roadway Cuts
Road pavement surfaces shall be saw-cut 1 foot back of the trench line prior to patching. All cuts in roadway pavement surfaces shall have a uniform flat vertical face. Ragged edges shall be saw cut to form straight lines that present a clean vertical face and be square or rectangular in shape.
Concrete & Asphalt Patching
Both concrete and asphalt streets shall be patched in accordance with the current pavement patching detail shown in the City Design Specifications Manual (DSM), see link below to the DSM. Full depth asphalt binder may be authorized as the initial patch for long linear cuts in asphalt, provided the applicant agrees to mill 2 inch and repave the street within 6 months of trench excavation patch. Patching on streets with decorative features shall be performed in accordance with the approved permit conditions using approved contractors.
View the City of Greenville Design and Specifications Manual (DSM) for current standard details.
Permit Requirements for Dumpsters
Contractors may be granted 1 parking space for a dumpster and 1 parking space for a truck for loading and unloading equipment in City ROW. Presently, there are no fees for blocking permits. Any additional spaces may be requested from Parking Services at 864-467-4900.
Guidelines
- Dumpsters in the Central Business District are restricted to 12 CY maximum. Containers shall not block driveways or pedestrian access.
- Food and household waste are not allowed in dumpsters
- Dumpsters placed near restaurants shall be covered at night to discourage food and household waste placement.
- At any time, including special events, the City may require removal of dumpsters.
- Dumpsters installation and service shall not damage any surface and a protective mat must be installed to protect existing finished surfaces.
- Reflective safety cones shall be placed around dumpsters when facing traffic.
- Dumpsters must have the owner’s name and telephone numbers, as well as applicants name and number attached for notification purposes.
- Dumpsters shall not be filled over the top of the container. Areas around dumpster shall be kept clean at all times.
- In residential areas, containers may be placed on streets, provided the existing street width is sufficient. City Code requires that 20 feet of usable street width remain after the container and all safety devices are placed. If the Code required minimum pavement width does not remain/exist, the application will be denied and the container will not be allowed to be placed in the street.
- At any time the dumpster becomes a nuisance, the permit will be terminated and the container must be removed. In the event that the dumpster is not removed, whether by refusal of the applicant, or due to lack of applicants contact information, the City will remove the dumpster, confiscate the dumpster, and all City incurred expenses to confiscate the container shall be reimbursed prior to release of the container to it's owner.
Sidewalks
A General encroachment permit can be issued to allow City sidewalks to be blocked to accommodate construction, moving or maintenance.
Fees
Presently, there are no fees for blocking a sidewalk.
Regulations
- If permitted, sidewalk closures in the central business district shall allow for a minimum 5 foot clearance for pedestrian passage through the blockage area. Otherwise, the entire sidewalk shall be closed.
- Proper signage shall be required for sidewalk blocking and / or closure. The alternate pedestrian route signage shall be installed as indicated on the approved permit and must remain clearly visible.
- If necessary, a temporary structure shall be erected to protect pedestrians from overhead dangers, such as falling debris, tools, water, etc.
- At any time, including special events, the City may request that the sidewalk closure area be removed or modified.
Cafe Encroachment
Are you interested in using public property or a sidewalk for an outdoor cafe? View Cafe Encroachment Information to learn more about what permits you will need.
Formal Encroachments
The City issues formal encroachment permits to authorize the installation, in the City right of way, or projecting under/over the City right of way, of the following: portions of buildings,signs, awnings, canopies, facades, footings, walls and planters.
Formal encroachment permits fall into 4 categories: surface, sub-surface, air rights and structural air rights. A separate application must be submitted for each category by address. A brief explanation of each category along with links to applications are below.
Supporting Documents
In addition to completing the application, applicants must also submit PE stamped drawings, delineation of property lines, specific dimensions for each projection into the right of way and a properly endorsed certificate of insurance form. Since original documents are required for formal encroachment permits, original applications can only be submitted by mail or in person.
Forms
- Surface Encroachment Application (PDF) - Use this form to request authorization to build a portion of a building or ground-mounted sign within public right-of-way.
- Sub-Surface Encroachment Application (PDF) - Use this form to request authorization to build a portion of a building underground in the ROW, like a footing, when the encroachment is part of the structure.
- Air Rights Encroachment Application (PDF) - Use this form to request authorization to attach a component to a structure which projects over / into public right-of-way. Awnings or blade signs are examples of this. The encroachment attaches to the building.
- Structural Air Rights Encroachment Application (PDF) - Use this form to request authorization when any structural portion of a building above the ground projects over / into the public right-of-way. Examples would be: a canopy or portion of the facade. The encroachment is actually a part of the structure.