Dry Utility

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 listed in the following. If proposed construction falls within these designated areas, the applicant shall coordinate with the City Project Engineer, to minimize damage and avoid undue disruption and interference with the public use of such right-of-way.

Geographic Information Systems:

About This Permit Type

Dry Utility permits are 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. 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

Permits for Dry Utility will only be issued to contractors that have a valid license with the City of Arvada. If you have questions about the Municipal Contractor's License, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Submitting Your Application

All applications are completed online through our permitting system, Arvada Permits. You will be required to upload your submittal documents at time of application. If documents are not attached, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. We don't want to deny applications, so make sure to read the following for application information.

Review Timelines

Applications for Right-of-Way construction require a minimum of 2 business days for initial review. Reviews and processing can take up to 7 business days for approval. The applicant will need to monitor their email for additional requirements. Start Online Application.

Who is Completing the Work

Permits must be applied for by a contractor that has an active Municipal Contractor's License. The contractor that is considered the general contractor should be applying for and managing the permit. The permitee listed on the permit is responsible for all subcontractors and anything that occurs onsite.

Required Documents

Documents must be attached to the permit application. If the required documents are not attached to the application it will be incomplete and will not be accepted.

1. Project Site Plan

Include the following items on an aerial image of the proposed job site.

For Utility Projects - Requiring Boring

  • Show/label property and right-of-way lines,
  • Proposed utility layout,
    • Bore line, length and location
    • Test hole locations (street, concrete, landscape)
    • Bore Pit/Excavation location and cut sizes (street, concrete, landscape)
  • Show the existing public infrastructure impacted by the construction, boring, excavation, and/or work,
    • Existing utilities
    • Street Pavement
    • Curb and gutter, sidewalk
    • Landscaping, etc.
  • Erosion control measures

For Utility Projects - Not Requiring Boring

  • Show/label property and right-of-way lines,
  • Proposed utility layout,
  • Show the existing public infrastructure impacted by the construction, excavation, and/or work,
    • Street pavement
    • Curb and gutter, sidewalk
    • Landscaping, etc.
  • Erosion control measures,
  • Location and dimensions of excavation (street, concrete, landscape)

Maps or City of Arvada owned facilities can be requested at any time please email Maps Division, please include an aerial image of the area requested.

2. Traffic Control Plan

The traffic control plan must show the specific location including an address or intersection where the work will be completed.

The traffic control plan must conform to current MUTCD and City of Arvada standards. Traffic control plans may be individually created or a current City of Arvada Traffic Control (PDF) drawing as designed in the Engineering Code of Standards and Specifications may be used.

3. Quantity Worksheet

Complete this worksheet to indicate the total quantities of the project. This is a required document with your application

4. Other Jurisdiction Permits

If the project is being completed in CDOT right-of-way or a neighboring jurisdiction, you must include proof of permit or an email stating it is not needed from that jurisdiction.

5. Utility Locate Confirmation

The Colorado 811 locates are the contractor's responsibility to obtain prior to work starting.

Fees

Permit fees vary for the type of work being completed. Fees will be applied to the permit once the permit has been reviewed, please reference the adopted fee schedule for a complete list of right-of-way permitting fees.

Sales & Use Tax

All Sales and Use Tax will be paid at permit issuance. Please provide the complete job value at the time of application. 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.

Permit Issuance

Once the permit has been reviewed and approved, an approved email confirmation will be sent directly to the applicant. Payments can be made by credit card through Arvada Permits. You can also send other forms of payment to Arvada City Hall attention Engineering, 8101 Ralston Road Arvada, CO 80002, call 720-898-7640 during normal business hours or email Engineering Division. All approved attachments must be printed and available on the job site.

Inspections

Inspections are completed on a daily basis Monday through Friday between 8 am and 3 pm, and must be scheduled online by 6 am of the desired day of inspection. To schedule inspections, please visit Arvada Permits and login with your Arvada Contractor license (AEC Number ) and password.

Inspections for Dry Utility

  • Dry Utility
  • ROW Asphalt
  • ROW Concrete

Closing the Permit

The permit will be closed once the inspector has determined that the project has been approved and has finished the inspection. Please review Arvada Permits for updates. Permits with asphalt or concrete patching will be subjected to a two year review. If repairs are required the contractor will be required to complete the repair within 14 days of notice.

Warranty

A final warranty inspection will be completed for asphalt and concrete restoration if applicable within 1 year and 10 months of closing the permit. The general contractor will be notified by the City of Arvada Engineering Division if repairs must be made prior to final acceptance of work.