The Town of Wake Forest wishes to remind residents that obstructions such as trees, sheds and fences are not allowed on public utility easements unless permitted by an encroachment agreement. An easement is the property the town or the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department uses to access utilities, including storm drains and water, sewer and electric lines.
Obstructions often hinder State-required inspections and prevent public employees from making necessary repairs. Large plantings within the rights-of-way also pose a threat to underground utilities and hinder repair efforts. Rights-of-way are the portion of the roadside used for utility placement and roadside maintenance.
Wake Forest’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) prohibits property owners from building any structure, including retaining walls and fences, or adding any landscaping, such as trees, shrubs or bushes, to an easement or right-of-way without obtaining written approval from the town or the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department..
All easements and rights-of-way are indicated on property surveys. Homeowners are urged to check their property surveys before adding fences or plants to insure that the easements and rights-of-way are kept clear.
Property owners are advised that the town or the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Deparmentcan require any obstructions in an easement or right-of-way to be removed at the owner’s expense. In non-emergency situations, the property owner will be granted a reasonable amount of time to remove the obstruction.
However, if the property owner does not remove the obstruction as requested or if there is an emergency situation, the town or Raleigh’s Utilities Department can remove the obstruction and charge the property owner for the expenses. In such instances, the town or the City of Raleigh will not be required to compensate the owner for the cost of the repair, replacement or removal of the object.
In addition, the Town of Wake Forest maintains the stormwater drainage system on all town property and within public drainage easements and right-of-way along town-maintained roads. If you experience a problem with drainage on your property, contact the Engineering Department for an assessment of the problem. If the issue lies outside of the right-of-way and/or 10 feet beyond the end of the pipe, it is most likely the property owner’s responsibility to remedy the problem.
If you live near a stream or creek or have storm drain systems near your home, make sure the streams, ditches and structures are not blocked. Blockages can back water up causing flooded streets and yards.
For more information, contact the Wake Forest Engineering Department at 919-435-9510.
