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Right-of-Way Permits
Right-of-Way (ROW) permit applications for construction work within public ROWs are processed online through e-TRAKiT as of January 1, 2022.
ROW permits are a crucial component in providing safe and effective use of streets and sidewalks during utility construction activities, allowing for:
- Improved excavation safety and damage prevention for the public and workers who maintain utility systems.
- Evaluation of Temporary Traffic Control for compliance with Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Assessment of restoration efforts to protect the quality of existing public transportation infrastructure.
Companies providing a utility service within City of Denton limits must have an active Utility Provider Registration with Public Works Inspection prior to applying for a ROW permit.
New registration requests:
- Complete the Utility Provider Registration Application and prepare the required supporting documents and information. Registration must be completed and submitted by a utility company, and not a contractor.
- Submit completed Utility Provider Registration Application and required supporting documentation through email.
- Receipt of registration requests will be confirmed by email to the applicant, with a full review and written response to grant or deny the request within 30 business days. Contact Public Works Inspection if confirmation of submission is not sent within two business days, as no response will be considered a submission failure and/or denial of the request.
- Each utility company is responsible for updating registration information:
- Annually, prior to January 1
- Within 30 days of any change, and prior to applying for permit.
Amendment or renewal of an existing registration, including adding or removing approved contractors:
- Submit revisions through email to Public Works Inspections.
- A ROW Utility Provider must authorize the addition or removal of a contractor or engineering firm whom will submit applications, request inspections, or otherwise conduct business on behalf of the utility provider by submittal of a ROW Contractor Registration Form. Review will follow the process for new registration requests above. Once a request is accepted and processed, the contractor will be provided access to e-TRAKiT.
- For substantial revisions to a company name or contacts, submit a new Utility Provider Registration Application.
Registration requests granted prior to August 1 will be applied to the current year. Requests granted after August 1 will be active thru the following year.
Reference the ROW Application Checklist for applicability of ROW Permits and required documentation by permit type.
Registered utility companies may apply by:
- Review the ROW Application Checklist to select the appropriate sub-type of right-of-way permit application and prepare the required documents and information.
- Submit the required information and upload supporting documents online in e-TRAKiT.
For assistance with applying in e-TRAKiT or payment of fees, contact Development Services at (940)349-8360.
Emergency repairs may be conducted prior to permit application in response to an event that may threaten public health or safety, such as an unexpected or unplanned outage, cut, rupture, leak, or other failure of a utility’s existing system which prevents or significantly jeopardizes their ability to provide service to customers, or could result in danger to the public if the system is not immediately repaired, controlled, stabilized, or rectified.
Emergency repairs require immediate notice to Public Works Inspections and may only be conducted by a registered utility company or municipal utility.
- Utility companies will be provided with a link for emergency notification upon registration.
- Within two business days from commencing an emergency repair, a formal ROW permit application must be submitted.
Properly submitted applications will be reviewed and approved or denied within 10 business days.
An expedited review of two business days may be requested for work that is substantially urgent but does not fully meet the criteria for an emergency repair, by submitting the Expedited Review Request Form with an application in e-TRAKiT. Expedited application fees apply.
If an application under review escalates to an emergency, the applicant should follow the emergency notification process, and promptly contact Public Works Inspections at (940)349-8910 to revise the pending application type to an emergency repair, and expedited review.
Application Status | Description |
Applied | A preliminary check of the application is being conducted to confirm that the minimum documentation is attached prior to distribution for review. The timeframe for completion of this step will be visible from the review tab of the application record in e-TRAKiT, and the applicant will be contacted if corrections are required. |
Submitted | The application has been distributed for review. The due date (for the city comment response) will be visible from the review tab of the application record in e-TRAKiT. |
Pending Revisions/Documents | Revisions or additional information/documents are required to process the application. |
Approved | The review step is complete. Fees may be due in e-TRAKiT prior to permit issuance. |
Issued | Permit is active, until the expiration date on the right of way permit attached to e-TRAKiT. |
Cancelled | Application has been voided and is no longer valid. |
Closed | Permit is inactive for any use other than tracking the two-year warranty on restoration. |
48 hours’ notice of commencing work for an issued permit is required, which is submitted by requesting a ROW Safety Inspection in e-TRAKiT.
For most ROW permits, the utility provider and/or contractor will need to request additional inspections in e-TRAKiT to allow Public Works Inspection to evaluate work activities for compliance with the conditions of the permit, city code, and city standard specifications. View the ROW Inspection Process document for the timing and scope of all required inspections and answers to frequently asked questions.
All inspection requests for an issued ROW Permit should be sent through e-TRAKiT.
Public Works Inspections will respond to requests for inspection within 24 hours of submission. Once confirmed, the scheduled inspection time and Inspector will be viewable from the inspections tab of the permit record in e-TRAKiT.
Cancellations
Notify of cancelling an inspection request by one of the following methods:
- Contact the Public Works Inspector by phone or email.
The Inspectors contact information is on the issued permit, available from the attachments in e-TRAKiT. - Send an email to this link, including the permit number, and call-back information.
- Contact Public Works Inspections main office for assistance at (940) 349-8910 or visit the Development Service Center at 401 N Elm Street, Denton, Texas, 76201 during regular business hours, M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Fees may apply for cancelled inspections if Public Works Inspections is not notified of the cancellation at least 30 minutes prior to the confirmed inspection time.
Emergency repairs may be conducted prior to permit application in response to an event that may threaten public health or safety, such as an unexpected or unplanned outage, cut, rupture, leak, or other failure of a utility’s existing system which prevents or significantly jeopardizes their ability to provide service to customers, or could result in danger to the public if the system is not immediately repaired, controlled, stabilized, or rectified.
Emergency repairs require immediate notice to Public Works Inspections and may only be conducted by a registered utility company.
- Utility companies will be provided with a link for emergency notification upon registration.
- Within two business days from commencing an emergency repair, a formal permit application must be submitted.
***Call (940) 349-7000 to report a municipal utility incident in the ROW that requires immediate attention, such as a power outage, downed electrical poles or wires, a water main break, a clogged or overflowing sewer main, or a leaking water meter or hydrant.***