A. Definitions: For the purposes of this section the following terms, phrases, words and their derivation shall ha the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present include the future, words in the plural number include the singular mandatory and not merely directory.
ENCROACH: | The use, intrusion , enclosure or occupation of a street, sidewalk, parkway or the unused portion of a street. |
OBSTRUCTION: | Any obstacle or thing impeding, or inconveniencing or rendering dangerous, public travel upon and along a street, alley or sidewalk. |
PARKWAY: | That portion of public right-of-way situated between the curb line of any street and the property line of property abutting and adjoining any street. In the absence of a curb, the curb line of a street shall be deemed to be the edge of that portion of public right-of-way maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. |
PERSON: | Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind. |
SIDEWALK: | The portion of the parkway of a street set aside and intended for the use of pedestrians. |
STREET: | Highways, roads, alleys, and bridges dedicated, purchased or otherwise acquired for the public, including the unimproved or unused portion thereof, maintained and open to use by the public. |
B. Obstructions: It shall be unlawful for any person, except as provided by this section:
1. To cause, create or maintain any encroachment, or obstruction, upon or within any street.
2. To place, install or maintain any object, substance or matter in lieu of trees, shrubs, bushes, grass or vegetation upon or within any street.
3. To erect maintain poles, wires, pipes or structures upon or below the surface of any street.
4. To drive any vehicle or ride an animal upon any sidewalk or parkway.
5. To erect a mailbox upon or within any street, sidewalk or parkway.
C. Property Abutting Street: Any owner or occupant of property abutting and adjoining any street may upon and within the parkway of such street:
1. Improve, adorn, or plant trees, shrubs, bushes, grass or vegetation; and
2. Place, install and maintain any object, substance or matter in lieu of trees, shrubs, bushes, grass or vegetation.
D. Illegal Obstructions: If any encroachment or obstruction has been placed, installed, erected, and maintained, or a use made and maintained for private or business purposes, upon a street, sidewalk or parkway without prior permission and consent, the Director of the Department of Public Works shall in writing require immediate removal thereof. If such encroachment or obstruction or use has not been removed, or commenced to be removed, and diligently prosecuted, prior to the expiration often (10) days form such notification, by the person who caused or owns or controls the encroachment, or obstruction, or use, the Director shall commence proper action to abate the same as a nuisance, and if judgment is recovered in favor of the City, the owner, occupant or person maintaining such nuisance may, in addition to having the same abated, be charged ten dollars ($10.00) for every day such nuisance remained after notice, as well as all costs.
E. Application To Be Filed: A person seeking to encroach, obstruct or use a street, sidewalk or parkway, including the unused or unimproved portion of a street, must file an application with the Director of Public Works, who shall present the same for the approval or disapproval of the City Council. The application shall include plans and specifications of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the proposed obstruction, encroachment, or use of the street, sidewalk or parkway by which to demonstrate the relevant provisions of the Fairfield City Code and other relevant laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders will be complied with, the legal description o the property abutting the street, sidewalk or parkway upon or within such encroachment, obstruction or the use shall be or is intended to be performed, and any other additional information necessary to make a fair determination of whether to allow or permit the encroachment, obstruction or use.
F. Conditions Of Permit Granted: A permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. The person to whom a permit is given or granted shall acquire no property or contractual right in and to the street, sidewalk or parkway and such permit may be revoked whenever the Council deems it necessary as a proper police measure.
2. The person to whom a permit is issued shall comply with all laws, orders and regulations of the City and with any direction of any public officer, pursuant to law, which shall impose any duty upon such person, and such person shall at his sole expense obtain all licenses or permits which may be required.
3. The person to whom a permit is issued shall indemnify and save and hold harmless the City from and for any and all losses, claims, actions and judgments for damages or injuries to persons or property and losses and expenses caused or incurred by the permittee, its servants, agents, employees, guests and business invitees. In addition, the permittee shall maintain and keep in full force and effect liability insurance in which the City shall be named as a named insured in amounts established by the Council. The limits of insurance shall not be deemed a limitation on the permittee’s covenant to indemnify and save and hold harmless the City.
4. Upon revocation of any permit given or granted, or in case of any disturbance or damage to pavement, sidewalk or other surface or structure, permittee shall, at its own expense, and the manner required by the City, replace and restore such in a condition acceptable to the City. (Ord. 297, 4-13-2023)