Performing any kind of excavation, removing or otherwise disturbing soil that cuts, penetrates or bores under any part of the City ROW is subject to a City Right-of-Way (ROW) Permit. The ROW permit process ensures that contractors are working safely and that quality repairs are made to the City’s infrastructure.
Most city of Austin row permits work is connected to larger projects approved by the City’s Development Services Department. This type of work is generally permitted through a Site Plan (SP), Site Plan Exemption (DA), Subdivision (C8), Building Permit (BP) or General Permit (GP). Some ROW work is a stand-alone project and may be permitted through an EX or Temporary Utility Work permit.
Construction and development in the ROW requires careful planning to avoid affecting traffic flow, pedestrian safety and property values. The City of Austin works with contractors to ensure timely approval and inspections for ROW work. Permit applications, resubmissions and revisions are reviewed in the order they are received. Projects and resubmissions that require review will be accepted the first business day of each week. See the FAQs on the Building & Development page for more information.
Permit fees vary by type and scope of the project. The application fee pays for the cost of reviewing the application. The usage and inspection fees pay for the rental or use of public ROW space. A four percent technology surcharge is applied to all fees.
All entities conducting work within the City ROW must register with the City of Austin ROW Management Department. This includes contractors, engineers, drafting/permitting firms and other representatives. Each contractor must be authorized by a ROW Utility Provider to conduct work on their behalf and can retract authorization with the ROW Contractor Registration Form.
After a permit is issued, the contractor is responsible for submitting all required inspections on time and in the proper sequence. If an inspector finds any violations of the permit conditions, a Corrective Action Request Form is required to address and resolve the issue.
If you receive a Notice of Violation or Stop Work Order, there are several ways to report it online or by phone. Learn more about the City’s zoning and permitting laws, report suspected code violations, or find a permit for your next project. You can also view a map of all permits and check their status online. You can view and submit permits using the AB + Connect portal. To do so, you must be logged in to your account and be a registered user. If you are not a registered user, click here to create an account. You can also login using your Facebook or Google accounts to access AB + Connect. You can also find more information about AB + Connect, including its features and tutorials. A downloadable PDF version of the guide is available here. The AB + Connect portal is easy to navigate and offers many helpful videos and tips for users. It is a great resource for developers, contractors, and builders in the Austin area.