Sidewalk/Right-of-Way Encumbrance Permits
Regulations & Conditions
Under the provisions of Chapter 109, paragraph 109-2, and Chapter 201, Paragraph 201-4 of the Laconia City Ordinances, no person is authorized to place any item within the public right-of-way without first having obtained permission from the Director of Public Works. These regulations are intended to provide guidelines by which businesses and contractors may be allowed to utilize certain areas of the public sidewalks, City parking lots and City rights of way.
General:
- The user shall apply for and obtain an “Encumbrance Permit” for that area of the right of way to be encumbered. There is a $10.00 fee for this permit.
- The user shall provide an insurance certificate to protect the City. The certificate shall be at least equal to $1,000,000 for personal injury and $500,000 for property damage.
Sidewalks:
The user may be allowed to place chairs, benches, window boxes and “sandwich board” or similar stand-up type signs not-to-exceed the following dimensions:
- Sandwich Board or Stand-Up Sign: Not-to-exceed 3-1/2’ height; 2’ width.
- Chairs/Benches: Not-to-exceed 3-1/2’ in height; 2’ width. Chairs/Benches/Window Boxes are not to display advertising.
- Flags of any type shall not hang lower than 7 ft.
The user shall place encumbrances on the sidewalk only in front of a licensed business. Items will be placed in such a manner:
- to leave a minimum unobstructed sidewalk width of 4-1/2’.
- to be placed a minimum of 1’ away from the curb line or edge of vehicular travel way.
The user shall remove all signs from the sidewalk at such times as the business is not open. Items shall not be placed in front of any door or other means of egress or in any manner which may block or hinder access to the adjoining property.
Items will not be approved in locations that could block visibility of drivers or pedestrians. On a corner lot nothing shall be placed within twenty (20) feet of the points of intersection of the joining street rights-of-way.
Items will be well constructed, in good taste, and are such that they will not detract from the appearance of the area. Wording on signs will be professionally prepared. If, in the judgement of City officials, the items/signs appear to “clutter” the area, the user will be requested to make necessary corrections; if condition continues, the permit will be revoked.
Construction projects and use of parking lots, parking spaces.
- Contractor use of City right of way will meet all ADA regulations
- Use of parking lots and parking spaces is limited to construction equipment, materials and trash containers. Employee vehicles will meet all City parking space restrictions.
- Reflective equipment such as cones will be used during periods of low visibility to warn drivers that the space is occupied.
The user shall not place items in any place or manner deemed hazardous by the Director of Public Works and/or the Code Enforcement Officer. Failure to follow these regulations and conditions will result in revocation of the permit.
For the Use of Cranes
All building construction, repair and maintenance that involves a crane, requires that the contractor obtain an encumbrance permit if the crane is on City Property or in the City rights of way. The following must accompany the permit:
1. Traffic Control Plan
- If the crane is on a public street, the contractor must have certified flaggers to control traffic during the period the crane and any supporting equipment is in the right of way.
- If the crane is on City property, the contractor must have certified flaggers to control access to the work site
- If the operation will block a public sidewalk, the traffic control plan must include an ADA accessible route for pedestrians to travel around the work site.
2. Safety plan for the lift operation.