The Bureau of Highways handles the permit process for utility companies and their contractors to undertake certain repairs or construction within the County right-of-way.
A utility cut permit is required anytime you occupy, use or engage in any activity in a public right-of-way including:
Excavation in paved or unpaved areas
Installation of above or below ground facilities
Antenna attachment on utility poles
Activity that obstructs or impedes traffic
A permit is not required if maintenance activity:
Makes no material change to the footprint of an existing facility or structure
Makes no material change to the surface or subsurface of a right-of-way
Does not disrupt or impede traffic
Note: Private utilities require the grant of a license agreement prior to occupancy in County rights-of-way. Installation of fiber optic cable over 500 feet requires a franchise agreement in addition to the utility cut permit.
Permit Process
Complete the application
Fill in location information—Identify every street you will impact
Fill in applicant information
Fill in scope of work—Briefly describe all activity in paved and unpaved areas of the public right-of-way
Check the type of permit box that applies
Sign application—Permit must have authorized signature to be approved
Attach a set of engineering drawings
Clearly illustrate and highlight the proposed work
Clearly identify all existing utilities—all work under this permit must maintain one foot minimum vertical clearance and five feet horizontal clearance from all water, sewer or storm drain utilities and structures
Identify all streets, driveways, entrances and sidewalks
Provide detailed measurements of proposed work area
Upon receiving the application, the plans will be circulated for internal review by County agencies that may have information or interest in the area of the proposed work. The review process takes one to three weeks depending upon the scope of the job.
When the review is complete, the Bureau of Highways will:
Contact the applicant
Advise the applicant of the appropriate permit fee
Share any revisions that may be required
Upon receipt of final revised drawings with a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp and fee, a permit will be issued.
24 hours prior to beginning construction, the Permittee must notify the Bureau of Highways of the intent to begin the proposed work via fax at 410-887-5656 or by calling 410-887-4306.
All contractors and subcontractors working on behalf of Permittee shall be prequalified by Baltimore County, following the requirements for Construction Contracts Contractor Prequalification.
Permit Fees
The following is a list of the fees that are charged when a utility cut permit is issued. These fees are required to be paid with delivery of the final revised drawings with a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp.