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SUBJECTSPUBLIC WORKS › Right-Of-Way Use Permits
Updated 08/08

Right-of-Way Use Permits - Street Use, Construction, Excavations, and Special Use Permits

Contents

About Right-of-Way Use Permits

This page contains information on permits for use of rights of way.  There are several different terms used to describe these permits and many activities that are regulated.  For the purposes of this page, the term 'right of way use permit' will be used generically.  Other terms that are found in the sample codes and ordinances include 'street use permit', 'excavation permit', 'special events permit' and 'construction permit'.  Some cities have developed comprehensive right of way use codes covering all uses, while others have code sections for each type of use.  The following can be included in a right of way use permit ordinance:

  • Special Events Permit (not necessarily in right of way)
  • Right of Way Use Permit
  • Accommodation of utilities in terms of standard locations, franchises (and fees), conditions of use, etc
  • Construction or activities on private property that impact a street or road in terms of traffic volume or functionality
  • Construction and/or excavation in right of way including standards for pavement restoration, compaction, etc
  • Short term non-construction uses (parades, processions, street fairs, etc)
  • Longer term non-construction uses (seasonal sidewalk cafés, mobile vendor stands, etc)
  • Long term non-construction uses or leases  (permanent sidewalk cafés, newsstands, newspaper racks, obstructions, etc.)

Sample Right Of Way Use Regulations

  • Bellevue Municipal Code Ch. 14.30 - Right-of-Way Use Code
  • Bonney Lake Municipal Code Ch. 12.08  - Work Within the Public Right-of-Way
  • Burien  Municipal Code Ch. 12.17  - Right-of-Way Use Code - General Provisions
  • Cheney
    • Cheney Municipal Code Ch. 12.38 - Right-of Way
      Cheney Municipal Code Ch. 12.44  - Excavations
  • Duvall Municipal Code - Ch. 8.04 -  Public Improvement Development Standards
  • Edmonds Municipal Code Ch. 18.70 - Street Use and Encroachment Permits
  • Gig Harbor Municipal Code Ch. 12.02 - Encroachment Permits
  • Hunts Point Municipal Code Ch. 12.10 (Adobe Acrobat Document 137 KB) - Right-of-Way Use
  • Issaquah Municipal Code Ch. 12.12 - Excavations 
  • Kent Municipal Code Ch. 6.07 - Street Use Permit
  • King County Code Ch. 14.28 ( 14 KB)- Rights-of-Way
  • Longview Municipal Code Ch. 12.30 - Use and Occupancy of Rights-of-Way
  • Mount Vernon Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 (Adobe Acrobat Document 101 KB) - Street Excavations
  • Poulsbo Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 - Public Property Construction
  • SeaTac Municipal Code Ch. 11.10 - Right-of-Way Use Code
  • Richland Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 ( 239 KB) - Right-of-Way Construction
  • Woodinville Municipal Code Ch. 15.42 - Fees for Work in Public/Private Rights-of-Way
  • San Juan County Code Ch. 12.04 - County Road Excavations
  • Tacoma Municipal Code Ch. 10.22 (Adobe Acrobat Document 173 KB) - Street Obstruction and Excavation
  • Tacoma Municipal Code Ch. 10.24 (Adobe Acrobat Document 173 KB) - - Streets - Installation of Utilities
  • Vancouver Municipal Code Ch.11.28 - Excavations
  • Walla Walla County Code Ch. 12.08 - Street Excavations

Manuals

Lane Rental Fee

Street Cut Mitigation

Sample Applications and Information

Additional References