[Ord. 2002-400 § 1; prior code § 35-51]
Any use of a street, alley, sidewalk or other public place for any purpose other than travel shall be prima facie a nuisance and is forbidden unless such use has been authorized by City permit or otherwise sanctioned by ordinance or law.
[Ord. 2018-327; Ord. 2002-400 § 2]
A. 
ENCROACHMENT – Means an object or part of a structure or building secured to, affixed to or extending over, upon or under the surface of public property. An encroachment's invasion of public property is generally permanent in nature, but not necessarily because it is easily movable. "Encroachment" does not include utility structures, newspaper stands, U.S. Postal Service mail boxes that are not monuments and streetscape furniture.
B. 
OBSTRUCTION – Means an object located upon or above the surface of public property and not secured thereto. An obstruction's invasion of public property is generally stationary and temporary in nature.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former subsection 12.36.020, Display upon streets, etc. — Permit required, was repealed by Ordinance No. 2002-400. For permit requirements for displays upon streets see subsection 12.36.090.
[Prior code § 35-53]
In all cases, any person claiming to be acting under permit or ordinance shall plead and provide such permit or ordinance as justification and defense.
[Prior code § 35-54]
Except as provided in Sections 12.36.050 and 12.36.060, and except as expressly permitted by the terms of subsections (a), (b), (c), (f), (g), (h) and (j) of section 4802 of the building code of the City and except as expressly permitted by chapter 57 of the building code, no person shall erect, construct or maintain any building or structure or any part of or appurtenance to any building or structure in, on, over or under any street, lane, alley, public ground or land of the City or of its board of park commissioners or of any other administrative body of the City, nor shall any person in any manner encroach upon, appropriate or (otherwise than in the discharge of an appropriate public function or as a member of the general public and in a manner consistent with the appropriate general public use) make any use of any such street, lane, alley, public ground or land.
[Prior code § 35-55]
The exercise of a duly authorized franchise right or right or privilege expressly granted by statute or some specifically applicable ordinance of the City, shall not be construed to be prohibited by this chapter.
[Ord. 2018-327; Prior code § 35-56]
A. 
Encroachments granted by City Council.
1. 
A license shall be obtained from the City Council for an encroachment otherwise prohibited by Section 12.36.040 of the Davenport Municipal Code. Excluded from the license requirement include but are not limited to marquees, canopies, signs, fire escapes, etc., which are not affixed to or rest on the surface of the public ground and do not prohibit or restrict pedestrian access. Also excluded from the license requirement is decorative furniture accessory to and adjacent to a business which rests on the surface of the public ground but does not prohibit or restrict pedestrian access, such as sandwich board signs, a table and chair(s) and flower pots, etc.). Encroachments not requiring a license are subject to the permit requirement and conditions articulated in subsections B and C in this section.
2. 
The petitioner shall submit an application to the City along with a $150 application fee. The application shall provide the name and contact information of the petitioner, a conceptual drawing detailing, at a minimum, dimensions, type and placement of materials and a statement of purpose for and use of the encroachment.
3. 
The application shall be subject to review by any City department for concerns arising from its respective missions. After the initial staff review, the application shall be reviewed by the design review board to determine if the mass, shape, materials, architectural details, and other design elements are compatible with the building and surrounding environs. If the encroachment is attached to a structure under the jurisdiction of the historic preservation commission, the historic preservation commission will perform its design review in lieu of the design review board. The design review board or historic preservation commission shall forward its recommendation to the City Council, which shall make the final determination of the encroachment.
4. 
Licenses granted by City Council shall be renewed on an annual basis beginning on the first day of January and terminating on the last day of December. Once approved as prescribed herein, annual license amounts are hereby established as follows:
a. 
$250 if the area is less than 250 square feet.
b. 
$350 if the area is at least 250 square feet but less than 500 square feet.
c. 
$450 if the area is 500 square feet or more; and
d. 
For a new license, the annual license amount shall be prorated quarterly for the quarter in which the license is granted by the City Council.
In no event shall the above fees be construed as giving the licensee an interest in the public property.
5. 
If an encroachment license is granted, the licensee and the City Attorney shall execute a written license memorializing the same incorporating the terms of this ordinance and any other terms the City Attorney deems reasonable and prudent.
B. 
Encroachments granted by public works director, or his or her designee.
1. 
A permit shall be obtained from the public works director, or his or her designee, for an encroachment not subject to an encroachment license from City Council. This permit may be issued in conjunction with a building permit.
2. 
The petitioner shall submit an application to the City along with a $50 application fee. The application shall provide the name and contact information of the petitioner, a conceptual drawing detailing, at a minimum, dimensions, type and placement of materials and a statement of purpose for and use of the encroachment. Although a permit is required, no fee is required for decorative furniture accessory to and adjacent to a business which rests on the surface of the public ground but does not prohibit or restrict pedestrian access, such as a table and chair(s) and flower pots, etc.).
3. 
The application shall be subject to review by any City department for concerns arising from its respective missions. If the encroachment is under the jurisdiction of the design review board, the design review board shall determine if the mass, shape, materials, architectural details, and other design elements are compatible with the building and surrounding environs. If the encroachment is attached to a structure under the jurisdiction of the historic preservation commission, the historic preservation commission will perform its design review in lieu of the design review board. The design review board or historic preservation commission shall forward its recommendation to the public work director, or his or her designee, which shall make the final determination of the encroachment. If the encroachment is not attached to a structure under the jurisdiction of the design review board or historic preservation commission, the public works director, or his or her designee, shall determine if the mass, shape, materials, architectural details, and other design elements are compatible with the building and surrounding environment.
C. 
Applicable to Encroachments Licenses and Permits.
1. 
If community public works director, or his or her designee, determines a hardship variance is necessary to encroach into a required setback, the petitioner must apply to the zoning board of adjustment for any necessary variance first. If a final determination granting any necessary variance is obtained, the petitioner may then apply for the encroachment license or permit.
2. 
If an encroachment license or permit is granted, the licensee has the obligation and duty to defend and hold harmless the City of Davenport from any claim arising out of or related to its encroachment into and occupation of the public ground; and further, releases the City, its officers, employees, and agents from any damage that may arise from municipal operations. The licensee must obtain and have in place liability insurance of the type and amount specified by the City risk division. The City shall be listed on the liability insurance policy for purposes of receiving notice of its cancellation or expiration not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of the cancellation or expiration.
3. 
If an encroachment license or permit is granted, the licensee assumes all risks arising from the occupation of the encroachment on the public ground. The City of Davenport may subsequently revoke the encroachment license or permit. The licensee or permittee bears all costs associated with the construction or installation of the encroachment, and any demolition, removal, or restoration associated with the encroachment upon termination of the license or at such times as the City Council or public works director, or his or her designee, deems it necessary for City purposes. Licensee or permittee is responsible for all ongoing costs associated with the maintenance or operation of its encroaching object or improvement. In being granted the license or permit, the licensee or permittee acknowledges the City of Davenport may in its sole discretion demolish, in part or in its entirety, any object or improvement within the area of encroachment without any liability or cost whatsoever to the City, and licensee or permittee authorizes the same. Any demolition costs shall be assessed to the property owner.
4. 
All buildings, structures, parts and appurtenances thereof which, as of the effective date this ordinance, are so located that it is patent from mere observation that they are maintained in, on, over, or under some street, lane, or alley in violation of this ordinance or the agreement shall be subject to immediate removal.
5. 
No encroachment licenses or permit shall be granted in respect of any public ground or land, the management or control of which by statute or ordinance is placed in another body of the City until any applicable process of that body is completed as well.
6. 
No encroachment license or permit shall be granted in any case in which the proposed licensed or permitted use substantially interferes with any existing public use in the City Council's discretion, and any such license or permit previously issued shall be revoked. Any encroachment license or permit shall be revocable at the pleasure of the City Council, with or without notice, in its sole discretion.
[Prior code § 35-57]
This chapter shall be construed to impose requirements with respect to the use of space under sidewalks, the use of space in alleys under ground and openings in sidewalks for cellar doors, coal and ash holes and like purposes in addition to the provisions of subsections (d), (e) and (i) of section 4802 of the building code of the City.
[Ord. 2002-400 § 3; prior code § 35-58]
The frames of cellar doors and cellarways built under Sections 12.36.040 through 12.36.070, inclusive, shall not be built above the level of the sidewalk, and said cellarways shall be kept by the owner or occupant, or both, securely covered with a door or doors which shall remain closed at all times except when actually used to put goods or merchandise into the cellar or basement. And all openings in the sidewalk for lighting or ventilating cellars or basements shall be placed on a level with the sidewalk and securely made.
[12-4-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-530; Ord. 2002-400 § 4; prior code § 35-59]
A. 
No person shall place any obstruction in or above any street, alley, or other public property without first obtaining a permit from the Engineering Division of Public Works ("engineering") pursuant to this section and Chapter 12.40 of the Davenport Municipal Code.
B. 
Application for a permit shall be filed with engineering along with a nonrefundable application review fee of $10 and proof of liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000 per incident. Failure to pay the $10 review fee or provide proof of insurance will result in automatic rejection of the application.
C. 
Engineering shall review the application and approve it, if acceptable. In reviewing the application, engineering shall consider the need to use this location, the adequacy of the unobstructed space, the applicant's prior compliance with these regulations, and the standards and specifications of the Iowa Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
D. 
The permittee shall defend and hold harmless the City against any loss, cost, or damage resulting from or related to permittee's occupation of the right-of-way.
E. 
The duration of the permit shall be 30 days. A one-time extension for an equal period of time may be granted by engineering if the extension is necessitated by events outside the control of permittee.
F. 
The judgment of engineering in the granting or extending of a permit is final. Additionally, the decision of engineering to revoke a permit for failure to comply with this section shall be final.
G. 
A violation of this section is punishable as follows:
1. 
Type I violations. First offense: $250; second: $350; third and subsequent: $500.
a. 
No permit.
b. 
Failure to comply with Iowa Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or instructions from Traffic Engineering.
2. 
Type II violations. First offense: $100; second: $150; third and subsequent: $200. The City may seek other administrative, legal, or equitable relief in addition to or in lieu of the fine. Each day a violation exists may be charged as a separate offense.
a. 
Expired permit (for first seven days after expiration date only: subsequently fined as "no permit").
[Ord. 2015-117 § 21; Prior code § 35-60]
A. 
Before any permit shall be given, the applicant shall have on file with the City Clerk, a fidelity bond approved by the engineering division in full force and in such sum as shall be fixed by the public works department conditioned upon holding the City harmless from any claim for damages or the costs incident thereto and also conditioned upon holding the City harmless from all damages to paving, sidewalks or other City property for the deposit of material or apparatus.
B. 
Violation of the conditions or provisions of this section or section 12.36.090 or any permit issued thereunder shall be deemed a simple misdemeanor and punishable as such.