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Right of Way
Who Needs a Right-of-Way Permit
General public improvements consisting of construction, reconstruction and remodeling of storm drains, irrigation ditches, fire lines, sewer and water lines (including new services and/or repairs on private property between the property line and the building), sewer and water mains, curb and gutters, sidewalks, streets, potholing, boring, traffic-control devices and similar improvements which are constructed on public rights-of-way, easements and other public property. All right-of-way permits can only be issued to a contractor that carries a current Municipal General Contractor license with the City of Arvada Engineering.
Before You Apply
Prior to applying for a permit, any person planning to excavate in the City's right-of-way shall review the City's Construction Projects and Street Cut Moratorium maps. If proposed construction falls within these designated areas, the applicant will coordinate with the City Project Engineer, to minimize damage and avoid undue disruption and interference with the public use of such right-of-way.
Permit Types & How to Obtain Them
These permits must be applied for online.
Dry Utility
These permits are required for work that includes new or replacement of gas, phone, conduit, fiber, cable or electrical services that are being installed in the public right-of-way, easement or other public property. This work may include but is not limited to:
- Boring
- Bore Pits
- Overhead Utility - Private
- Underground Utility - Private (Gas lines and mains, conduit, etc.)
- Potholing (Test Holes) - Street, Concrete, Landscape
- Vaults
- Asphalt and concrete patching or repair
Sewer & Water Service Installations, Repairs or Disconnects
These permits are required for the installation, repair or disconnects of water and sewer services for residential and commercial either in the street, parking lot or yard and are to be obtained per individual address.
Flatwork Replacement
These permits are required for contractors doing flatwork replacement in the right-of-way for single family or commercial properties in the City of Arvada. This type of work includes combination curb and gutter, detached walk, vertical curb and gutter, crosspans, ADA ramps and sidewalk chase drains.
Row Access Only
These permits are required for contractors doing landscape, tree trimming, fencing, guard rails, etc. that need traffic control set up in the City of Arvada street but are not disturbing the right-of-way.
Development Permits are created internally and emailed to the developer/contractor after several conditions have been met (please refer to the following information).
Development Permits
These permits are required for work in the right-of-way or easement that includes asphalt patching, flatwork, paving, milling, traffic control devices (signs, striping, pavement markings, etc), wet tap and wet utilities for any development in the City of Arvada that has been approved by the Development Engineer for construction.
Additional Information
In order to efficiently serve our community the City of Arvada Engineering Division started collecting use tax on every right-of-way permit at the time of permit issuance in 2019. This change simplifies the tax payment process for both contractors and the City as taxes will be collected up front instead of after the project has been completed.
- Fees are calculated on the job value provided on your application.
- Sales and Use Tax is required by law on all materials and equipment incorporated in or used in the performance of the work.
- The contractor/developer is subject to audits on these taxes.
Once the permit is issued, please use the permit when purchasing goods and materials for your project. If you are an Arvada Business License holder you can submit your Business license number for quarterly reporting. If the project is tax exempt, you will need to include your project specific tax exempt form.
All contractors must have a current General Municipal Contractor license and be in good standing with the City of Arvada to obtain a permit. Visit the Municipal General Contractor page for more information.
The Colorado 811 locate confirmation number must be entered on all applications.
All utilities must be identified through the locate process prior to excavation of soil, including boring. In the event that a City Utility cannot be located within the specified boundaries of the request area; the contractor/excavator will be notified by email and/or phone of a mandatory on-site meeting to discuss alternate measures for protecting the utility. No excavation of soil, including boring, is permitted until the on-site meeting has taken place and all utilities have been located. Failure to comply will be deemed unreasonable action by the contractor/excavator and may result in the contractor/excavator assuming all liability for damages to such utilities.
- Red: Electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
- Blue: Drinking water
- Orange: Telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit
- Purple: Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines
- Yellow: Natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous, or flammable material
- Pink: Temporary survey markings, unknown/unidentified facilities
- Green: Sewers and drain lines
- White: Proposed excavation limits or route
Inspections are completed on a daily basis Monday through Friday between 8 am and 3 pm, and must be scheduled online by 6 am the desired day of inspection. Inspections must be scheduled for every day that crews are working. To schedule inspections please visit Arvada Permits and login with your Arvada contractor license number (AEC Number) and password. For step by step instructions, please visit our Scheduling Inspections page. If an inspection must be cancelled, please notify the Engineering Permit Team via phone or email to avoid a re-inspection fee.
Full closure of a residential street can be obtained through the regular permitting process. Please note that a traffic control plan will need to be submitted with your right-of-way application for review by our permitting team. The review process for this type of application is 1 to 3 business days. Please reach out to the Engineering Permit Team with any questions at 720-898-7640.
Special Inspections Request
Work that will be inspected during non-city business hours, including Saturdays and Holidays, need to be requested and approved in advance. Please send your inspection requests to the Engineering Division at least two (2) business day prior to your desired work date by using the Saturday Request Form.
Full closure of a residential street can be obtained through the regular permitting process. Please note that a traffic control plan will need to be submitted with your right-of-way application for review by our permitting team. The review process for this type of application is 1-3 business days. Please reach out to the Engineering Permit Team with any questions at 720-898-7640
For closures involving Development or Capital Improvement Projects in the City of Arvada, please reach out to your Development Engineer or Project Manager in order to initiate a request. You will need to provide the following information in your request:
- Project name and address
- Permit number and job number
- Dates and times of closure
- Scope of work to be completed
- On Site contact information
- Verify if the closure being requested is to remain in place 24 hours or reopen after work hours.
- Approval from any impacted parties (Schools, RTD, CDOT, etc…)
- Proposed detour plan/traffic control plans
Please note that non-residential road closures require approval of the Public Works director and so must be submitted a minimum of 5 days in advance of the desired work date.