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Right of Way Permits


Driveways, Sidewalks, Street Cuts, Stubs and Street Closings


Process Description:
This is a process for issuing Residential & Commercial Right-of-Way permits as needed in correlation with construction projects that affect driveways, sidewalks, Street Cuts and Street Closings (with or without parking).  Issuing a proper permit package is a multi-departmental effort.

   Effective July 1, 2008, New Right of Way Permitting Process for Commercial Projects

Right of Way plan elements for temporary street/sidewalk closures associated with Commercial projects must include the following:

  • location of the building on the site
  • location of the sidewalk
  • location of on-street parking
  • direction of travel lanes
  • description of same improvements 100 feet to either side of the site
  • location of eight (8) foot chain link fence
  • location of covered sidewalk and details of construction in accordance with the North Carolina State Building Code, Chapter 33
  • location of barricades
  • location of traffic merge cones
  • location of businesses affected by barricades and/or fences
  • estimated timeframe for project


To communicate with  ROW plan reviewers for each trade simultaneously, please send email correspondence to: ROW@ci.raleigh.nc.us

See below contact list for individual Right of Way related issues.

Inspections Department (Permits Division):


Permit Application and Bond Form for Stub, Driveway and Street Cut permits -

  • Janet Mickens (919) 516-2576
  • Vacant (919) 516-2574
  • Fax (919) 516-2687


Sidewalk and Construction Safeguard Plan Review (Volume 1 Chapter 33) -

 

Public Works Department (Transportation Division):


Construction Temporary Street Closure -


Parking Lanes -


Driveways  -

 

Planning Department (Urban Design Center):

 

 

Fire Department (Apparatus Access):

 

The Inspections Department manages the below types of project reviews for Right of Way and Bonding permit issuance.  These projects include new installation and repair/replacement of existing structures.  Chapter 33 of the NC State Building Code regulates construction site safeguards, barrier design requirements such as covered walkways, protection of adjoining property, temporary use of streets/alleys and public property. To open specific chapters of the code, click on the folder icon for the section you wish to read.  Contact either Willis Stancil at (919) 516-2187or Richard Mallow  at (919) 516-2176 located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC for questions as they relate to the following: 

  • Driveway Permits  (Includes installation of new driveways and repair of existing driveways)
  • Street Cut Permits
  • Sidewalk Closures
  • Street Pedestrian Crossings
  • Retaining Walls
  • Construction Site Safeguards for Pedestrians in work zones
  • Covered walkways
  • Construction Fencing
  • Barricade Enforcement
  • Handicap Site Accessibility
  • Ramps
  • Signage

 

The Public Works Department  manages the below types of project reviews and permit issuance.  These processes often require a Right of Way permit in addition to the Street Closure permit.  If this is the case, you will be directed by staff to obtain the Right of Way permit with the Inspections Department.

  • Street Closure Permits (involving parking lanes) - Contact Audrey Mise  at (919) 996-4090 located at Raleigh Municipal Building 222 W. Hargett Street, 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC. Most projects requiring parking lane closure less than four (4) weeks does not require City Council approval.  If expected project duration requires parking lane closure to extend beyond four (4) weeks, please allow 6-8 weeks for City Council approval and processing.  The specifics of each project may determine when City Council approval is needed.
  • Street Closure Permits (not involving parking lanes) - Contact Terry Phinizy or Tom Gold at (919) 996-4043 located at Raleigh Municipal Building 222 W. Hargett Street, 4th Floor, Raleigh, NC. Street closures that do not involve parking lanes are approved administratively by staff and do not require City Council approval
  • Driveways - Contact Rene Haagen at (919) 516-2173 located at One Exchange Plaza, 4th Floor, Raleigh NC.  Site and plot plans are reviewed for the following plan elements: driveway locations and quantities, thoroughfare conflicts, parking lot layout, dumpster operation and placement, traffic signing/striping and control devices, vehicular stacking space areas, parking structures and internal traffic circulation details. For more information, please reference Driveway Permit Requirements document


When a new driveway is being installed connecting to any Raleigh street, the plan must be approved by the Public Works Department - Engineering Division.  The Right of Way permit is the permit authorizing the driveway installation but the connection to the city street must also be approved by the Engineering Division.  New driveways connecting to state maintained roads are reviewed and permitted directly by the NC Department of Transportation.  It is preferable to have the DOT permit in hand prior to City of Raleigh plan review.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

  • Contractor information (contractor license, contact information, etc.) must be complete, current and valid in the City of Raleigh Contractor file
  • Contact the Permits Division at (919) 516-2150 to confirm the accuracy of all required data
  • Contractor must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the Raleigh City Limits  
  • Contractor must have proof of Workers Compensation, if applicable
  • City of Raleigh Certificate of Eligibility
  • Performance Bond (Obtained from applicant’s insurance company)
  • Certificate of Insurance naming City of Raleigh as the certificate holder(Obtained from applicant’s insurance company)
  • Right of Way plans must be reviewed and approved prior to the issuance of Commercial building permit packages
  • Right of Way plans must be reviewed and approved prior to scheduling an Express date
  • City Council approval is required for commercial projects that require the closing of a traffic or parking lane for more than 30 days. Please allow time for this approval process  

 

How do I start the process?
Complete a City of Raleigh Permit Application and submit it to the City of Raleigh Inspections Department  located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh NC.

 

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package

 

Where can I find additional information?


Where do I submit my application?
Office:              City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Permits - See Janet Mickens
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 
Phone #:          (919) 516-2576
Fax #:              (919) 516-2680
Hours:              8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

- OR-

Commercial Project Right of Way plans:

Office:              City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Permits - Commercial Gate Keepers (Trudy McBride/Lois Plankers)
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 
Phone #:          (919) 516-2572 or 2573
Hours:              8:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.


What are the keys to success?

  • Ensure above prerequisites are met
  • Communicate with staff to determine when it is necessary to obtain a Right of Way permit in addition to street and lane closure permits

 

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

  • Right of Way Permit is a minimum permit fee of $72.00
  • See Fee Schedule 


How long will this process take?

  • Right of Way permits can be processed in approximately 15-30 minutes, if client chooses to stay and wait for them
  • Applications may also be dropped off for processing and picked up at a later date
  • Right of Way permits associated with Commercial Building projects must be submitted either in advance of the building plans or as part of the Building Plans Submittal Package
  • Right of Way permits associated with an Express project must be reviewed and approved prior to scheduling an Express date 


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For More Information Contact:
Janet Mickens
Sr. Permit Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2576

Willis Stancil
Civil Engineer
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2187

Rene Haagen
Civil Engineer I
Public Works Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2173