City Simplifies Permit Process for Minor Residential Encroachments

The City of Windsor is notifying property owners of important updates to its residential encroachment regulations and the new process for minor encroachments, making it easier and more cost effective for homeowners to obtain a permit for minor encroachments, and eliminating the need to enter into a formal agreement with the City.

What is an Encroachment?

An encroachment is an item that is placed, erected or built on the municipal right-of-way for private use. Common encroachments include parking, fences, underground piping, porches, canopies and signs. See Types of Encroachments.

Minor Residential Encroachment Permit Process

At the direction of City Council, the Encroachment Policy and Landscape Best Practices are being updated, and the City is introducing clearer guidelines for minor residential encroachments. These updates apply exclusively to residential properties with a maximum of two units. 

At the discretion of the City Engineer, some minor encroachments may be authorized by permit, without the need to enter into a formal encroachment agreement with the City, and these can include but are not limited to the following:

• A single step as part of a lead walk
• Decorative rocks or boulders
• Landscape logs
• Picket fences without a foundation
• Plastic landscape borders
• Lawn ornaments
• Any other personal property as determined by the City Engineer in its sole discretion

Property owners should be aware of the following key permit requirements:

• Insurance and indemnification must be satisfactory to the City’s Risk Management Department.
• Right-of-way permit fees are applicable as per the current User Fee Schedule:
  • Permit Fee (2025): $283.00
  • Indemnity Fee (refunded upon final inspection): $1,000.00

For more information or to apply for a minor encroachment permit, visit the City of Windsor’s Encroachment page.