Montgomery Bylaws: Potholes & Encroachment Permits

Transportation Alabama 4 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Alabama

In Montgomery, Alabama, reporting roadway hazards and securing encroachment permits for work in the public right-of-way are handled by city departments that manage streets, engineering and planning. This guide explains how to report potholes, who enforces street and right-of-way rules, the permit path for private or utility work that encroaches on sidewalks or lanes, and the practical steps to apply, appeal, or pay fines where applicable. Use the department contacts and official code references below to confirm requirements for your specific site before starting work.

Always confirm permit requirements before starting work in the right-of-way.

Reporting Potholes

To report a pothole or urgent roadway hazard, contact the City of Montgomery Public Works or use the city reporting portal. Provide exact location, photos, and any safety risks. Reported issues are triaged by severity and scheduled for repair based on safety and available resources.

  • Contact Public Works or the online report form to submit location and photos of the pothole. Report online[1]
  • Emergency hazards (active traffic danger) should be reported by phone for immediate response.
  • Keep records: date/time reported, reference number, and photos for follow-up.

Encroachment Permits and Right-of-Way Work

Encroachment permits are required for any private or contractor work that occupies or alters public rights-of-way, sidewalks, curbs, or street lanes. The City’s engineering or planning office issues permits and sets conditions to protect traffic flow and utilities. Apply for the permit before commencing work; failure to obtain required approvals may result in stop-work orders and fines.

  • Apply to the City engineering or planning department for a right-of-way/encroachment permit. Consult the municipal code for applicable ordinance language and standards. See code[2]
  • Provide plans, traffic control, insurance certificates, and proposed work schedules as required by the permit.
  • Permit fees, bonds, and insurance requirements vary by permit type; confirm amounts with the issuing office.
Most encroachment permits require proof of insurance and a traffic control plan.

Penalties & Enforcement

The city enforces roadway and right-of-way rules through its Public Works, Engineering, and Code Enforcement units. Specific fines, escalation, and non-monetary sanctions depend on the ordinance or permit conditions cited.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see municipal code for any published schedules. See code[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences and incremental daily penalties are not specified on the cited page. See code[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, removal/restoration orders, permit suspension, and court actions may be used by the city.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Public Works and Engineering handle inspections and complaints; use the city contact/reporting page to file issues. Contact Public Works[1]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are determined by the ordinance or permit decision document; specific appeal periods are not specified on the cited page. See code[2]
If you receive a stop-work order, contact the issuing department immediately and follow posted appeal steps.

Applications & Forms

Permits and applications are generally issued by the City engineering or planning department. The municipal code references permit requirements, but the cited department pages list forms and submittal instructions. If a specific application number or form name is required, it will be available from the issuing office or permit portal; not all form numbers are published on the cited pages. Contact Public Works[1]

How-To

  1. Gather exact location, photos, and a short description of the pothole or planned encroachment work.
  2. Report the pothole via the Public Works report page or phone number; request a reference number for follow-up. Report online[1]
  3. For encroachment work, contact Engineering/Planning to request the encroachment permit packet and list of required documents; submit plans, traffic control, insurance, and fees as directed.
  4. Allow time for plan review and be prepared to adjust traffic control or scheduling per permit conditions.
  5. Pay any permit fees, post bonds or insurance, and comply with inspection requests to avoid enforcement actions.

FAQ

How do I report a pothole in Montgomery?
Use the City of Montgomery Public Works reporting page or call the Public Works office with location details and photos to request repair. Report online[1]
Do I need a permit to work on a driveway or sidewalk that meets the street?
Most work that encroaches on public right-of-way requires an encroachment or right-of-way permit from Engineering or Planning; check permit requirements before starting work. See code[2]
What if the city does not fix a reported pothole?
If a reported hazard is not addressed, follow up with Public Works, keep your report reference, and escalate to the permitting or code enforcement office if necessary.

Key Takeaways

  • Always check permit requirements before starting right-of-way work to avoid stop-work orders.
  • Report potholes promptly with location and photos for faster triage by Public Works.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Montgomery Public Works — report and contact page
  2. [2] City of Montgomery Code of Ordinances — municipal code

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data