Encroachments

Major and Minor

Process Description:
Encroachment approval is a process by which private property owners, firms, or corporations request to use the public right-of-way (i.e. landscaping, structures, tables, chairs, etc.) for a private purpose. This review process is intended to ensure the health and safety of the public as well as protect against potential damage to the streetscape, trees and vegetation, sidewalks, streets, and other publicly-owned amenities. There are two types of encroachment requests - Major and Minor as defined below.

Major Encroachments - Private uses of public property in most parts of the City, such as subdivision signs in the right-of-way, cable or data transmission lines, private landscaping in the public right-of-way, signs overhanging the public right-of-way, awnings extending over property lines, etc. These requests must be reviewed and approved by the City Council after a staff review process. The entire process takes approximately six (6) weeks.

Minor Encroachments - Private uses of public property in any of these areas: Downtown Overlay District, Glenwood South Business Districts, North Person Street Business District and Peace Street Business District. Standards for this type of encroachment are outlined in the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook. Minor encroachment requests are reviewed and approved by the Downtown Permits Office located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 404, Raleigh NC the same day as requested.

See Appendix 3. Glossary in the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook and the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary of Terms for any unfamiliar terms.

How do I start the process?

Major Encroachments - complete a City of Raleigh Major Encroachment Application per Encroachment Application Instructions and submit to Inspections Department staff located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 404, Raleigh NC
Minor Encroachments - complete a City of Raleigh Permit Application (Zoning section) and submit to Downtown Permits Office staff located at One Exchange Plaza Suite 404, Raleigh NC

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package

Major Encroachments -

Completed Major Encroachment Application per Encroachment Application Instructions
Ten (10) sets of detailed engineering plans
24 additional copies of the plans reduced to 8 ½” x 11”
Resolution 1996-153 signed and dated
Fee payment

Minor Encroachments -

Completed City of Raleigh Permit Application (Zoning section)
City of Raleigh Business License
Indemnity Agreement (releasing the City of Raleigh from any law suits for damages incurred by clients using the Public Right of Ways). Appendix 5 of the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook
Certificate of Liability Insurance (Client must have $1,000,000 in Liability Insurance with the City of Raleigh named as the certificate holder).
Fee payment (Fees are determined by type of encroachment. Please refer to the fee schedule detailed in Appendix I in the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook.)

Note: Depending upon the type of Minor Encroachment request, there may be other documentation required. For complete details of your specific encroachment request, please refer to the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook.

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

Major Encroachments -

Minor Encroachments -

Please refer to the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook
Standards for Private Use of Public Spaces

Where do I submit my application?

Major Encroachments -

Office:             City of Raleigh
Department:   Inspections
Division:          Zoning
Contact:          Gloria Sessoms
Address:         One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:    219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:         (919) 516-2559
Hours:             8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Minor Encroachments -

Office:             City of Raleigh
Department:   Inspections
Division:          Zoning - Downtown Permits Office
Contact:           Barbara Simpson
Address:         One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:    219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:         (919) 516-2550
Hours:             8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

What are the keys to success?

Show the location of existing trees
Show fences, walls, furniture and other items to be placed in the right of way
If the encroachment involves excavation, please show the location of existing utilities for the area of encroachment
Ensure that all Encroachment Application Instructions are met

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

Major Encroachments -

$100.00 non-refundable application processing fee is due with the submittal package at the beginning of the process
$70.00 administrative fee will be collected upon receipt of the encroachment agreement
Annual fee of $0.48 per linear foot (transmission devices only) payable when client picks up approved encroachment agreement
A license fee of 3.09% of gross revenues will be assessed on fiber optic cable payable when client picks up approved encroachment agreement)
Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
All encroachment fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC

Minor Encroachments -

Some Minor Encroachment fees are due one time only and some are due annually as determined by the type of encroachment. Please refer to the fee schedule details in Appendix 1 in the Raleigh Urban Design Handbook
Fee is due at the end of the process before permit is issued
Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
All encroachment fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC

Note: If multiple types of Minor Encroachments are being requested in one submittal package, the fee will be assessed only once and not for each encroachment type. If you are requesting more than one encroachment type, please contact the Downtown Permits Office to confirm fee requirements.

How long will this process take?

Major Encroachments - approximately six (6) weeks; Refer to Encroachment Committee calendar for City Council meeting dates
Minor Encroachments - same day as requested

Guide Home Page

For More Information Contact:
Major Encroachments - Gloria Sessoms
Administrative Assistant
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2559

Minor Encroachments - Barbara Simpson
Zoning Technician
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2550

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