Environmental Services
Special Conditions, Regulations and Instructions for the Department of Environmental Services Right-of-Way Permit Applications Involving New Underground Utility Construction
ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA
- Effective May 3, 1999
- Revised July 21, 1999
- Revised June 27, 2000
- Revised November 27, 2000
- Revised January 2, 2002
- Revised January 9, 2006
- Revised February 17, 2006
- Revised March 16, 2006
The Department of Environmental Services ( DES ) issues Public Right-of-Way (PROW) Permits to contractors who plan to work within the County right-of-way. The purpose of these special conditions, regulations and instructions are to facilitate increased safety and convenience for the residents and traveling public, preserve the County's infrastructure, provide for the accommodation of utilities within the right-of-way, and establish procedures and controls for the issuance of permits by the Department. These special conditions, regulations and instructions are in addition to the requirements specified in Chapter 22 of the County Code and within the DES Construction Standards and Specifications.
The two (2) required PROW permits are:
• Public Right-of-Way Permit Application Form
(93.8 Kb PDF Format)
For all types of activities requiring excavation.
• Transportation Public Right-of-Way Permit Application Form
(26.6 Kb PDF Format)
For all types of activities requiring blocking or substantially limiting the use of roadway, sidewalks, and/or parking meters.
Required Submittals:
DES requires all of the following prior to any review and/or approval:
• Five (5) sets of engineering plans (24 ² x36 ² ; Scale [Horizontal] 1” = 25' and [Vertical] 1” = 5') showing both plan and profile views of all proposed and existing underground facilities so that DES can determine the exact location of the proposed conduits within the County right-of-way. The applicant must include a vicinity map showing all roadways that are affected by the work proposed on the application. Each plan sheet shall be related to the Virginia Coordinate System North 1983 (VCS 83) with four (4) control grid marks referenced to it shown in English units (feet).
• The engineering plans shall show the right-of-way and all existing utility facilities, public and privately owned, including but not limited to, water mains, water meters, sanitary and storm sewers, sanitary laterals, electrical, gas mains, telecommunications, manholes, catch basins, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and street trees. In addition, all existing traffic signal facilities (i.e. all traffic conduits, traffic cabinets, junction boxes, utility traffic loops, and traffic and pedestrian signal poles) shall be identified on the plans. Actual vertical locations of all existing facilities shall be shown on the profile views.
It is the permittee's responsibility to locate, identify, and resolve all potential conflicts with all existing utilities in the right-of-way prior to the submission of the engineering plans. All utility conflicts shall be highlighted and addressed by your engineer, and any service drops must be noted. Utility crossings with existing facilities that do not have profile information shall be “test-holed” and results of the test hole shall be provided to the County. A minimum clearance between the proposed underground facility and the existing utility facility clearance of 5-foot horizontal and 12-inch vertical shall be required.
• A Commonwealth of Virginia Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor must seal the engineering plans submitted with the application. This professional seal on the plans indicate that the existing conditions shown on the plans are true and accurate.
A letter on the applicant's company letterhead addressed to Daryll Smith, the Engineering Supervisor of the Permitting and Inspections Office , at #1 Courthouse Plaza , 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 800 , Arlington , Virginia 22201 explaining the following:
• Scope of the project,
• Construction schedule,
• Future use of the proposed underground facilities,
• Name of the field superintendent, and
• Telephone numbers (office and cellular) and electronic mail address of applicant's personnel who would provide additional information as needed, and
• Plans for any conduit facilities to be leased to other companies, if any.
A certified mail receipt confirming that notification letters have been sent to all property owners abutting the right-of-way, on both sides thereof, along the locations of the proposed work, to the presidents of the Neighborhood Civic Association and Condominium, and Homeowner and Tenant Associations. The letter shall be sent seven (7) days prior to the start of construction. The names and addresses of the presidents are available at the County website, Civic and Homeowners Associations . The notification letter shall outline the following:
• Scope of the project,
• Construction schedule,
• Future use of the proposed underground facilities,
• Name of the field superintendent, and
• Telephone numbers (office and cellular) and electronic mail address of applicant's personnel who would provide additional information as needed.
The purpose of this letter is to provide ample notice to County residents and business owners prior to construction. A copy of the letter shall be provided to the Permitting and Inspections Office.
• A DES Transportation Public Right-of-Way Permit (TPROW) is required for proposed work that will block or substantially limit the use of roadway, sidewalks and/or parking meters. The TPROW must be applied for after approval of the PROW and 3-5 days prior to work commencing in the public right-of-way. Both permits shall be issued simultaneously.
After the issuance of the Public Right-of-Way Permit (PROW) from the Permitting and Inspections Office, the applicant shall provide advance notification to the Department. This notification must be made 48 hours prior to the start of construction by calling 703-228-3629. At a minimum the applicant shall provide the start and ending dates for the proposed work.
Requests for a DES Transportation Public Right-of-Way Permit shall include a traffic control plan prepared in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). Requests to block metered parking spaces must be noted on the application and must indicate the meter identification numbers affected by the proposed work. Construction work cannot begin until DES has approved and issued the subsequent permit, the DES Public Right-of-Way Permit. When the Transportation Public Right-of-Way Permit application is approved, DES will issue a hangtag that must be displayed at the construction site at all times to be in compliance with the PROW Permit. If you have any questions regarding the DES Transportation Public Right-of-Way Permit, please visit the Permitting and Inspections Office located at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 813 , Arlington , Virginia , or call 703-228-3629 (Press 0).
• As-built drawings (24 ² x36 ² ; Scale [Horizontal] 1” = 25' and [Vertical] 1” = 5') related to the Virginia Coordinate System North 1983 (VCS 83) having four (4) control grid marks referenced to it shown in English units (feet) shall be promptly submitted to the Permitting and Inspections Office within thirty (30) days following the completion of construction. The prints shall be neatly and clearly marked to show all variations from the design and the work actually performed. The drawings shall also include supplementary notes, legends, and details to fully explain the work.
Technical Specifications for Underground Utility Installations
• The length of the proposed underground facilities for each permit application shall not exceed one mile (5,280 linear feet).
• The proposed design facilities must also comply with the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Guidelines for Installing Underground Utilities near Trees.
• No new permit will be issued until the work and restoration of the proceeding permit has been completed and inspected by County staff.
• Any deviations from the approved engineering design plans during construction shall be pre-approved by County staff prior to proceeding with the work.
• Failure to provide accurate as-built drawings within thirty (30) days after the certified date of inspection will result in denial of future permit application requests.
• Any work outside the PROW will require permission from property owners and may require a building permit from the Department of Community Planning, Housing & Development Inspection Services Division.
III . General Information
• The Arlington County DES Construction Standards and Specifications Manual can be obtained in the Development Services Section at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 800 , Arlington , Virginia 22201 at a cost of $30.00. The manual can also be downloaded (free of charge).
• For the approximate location of County water, storm sewer and sanitary sewer facilities, a written request for record information may be sent to the Permitting and Inspections Office, Attn: Daryll Smith.
• Questions regarding the County's PROW permit process please visit the Permitting and Inspections Office at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, Virginia or call 703-228-4798 (Press 0). Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM .
IV Public Right-of-Way Permit Application Instructions
• Right-of-Way Permit Application Form
Sections 1 thru 10 – Information of Applicant
Line 1: Individual or Company Full Legal Name (if applicable)
The complete name of the utility owner and the name and title of the company authorized official who is responsible for the project. The name of the contractor and subcontractors, if any, who will be performing the work shall be included.
Line 2: Name of Representative (First, Middle Initial, Last)
The authorized Representative from Line 1.
Line 3: Title of Representative
The official title of the Representative from Line 2.
Line 4: Telephone Number
The telephone number of the “home office” or the “regional office” of the Representative
Line 5: Cellular Phone Number
The cellular phone number of the Representative.
Line 6: Fax Number
The facsimile number of the Representative. It should be the telephone number of the “home office” or the “regional office”.
Line 7: Address
The complete address of the Representative. Should be the address of the “home office” or the “regional office” which will oversee the permit work.
Line 8: City, State, Zip Code
The City, State and Zip Code of the utility owner. Should be the City, State and Zip Code of the “home office” or the “regional office” which will oversee the permit work.
Line 9: State Contractor's License Number
The Class “A”, “B” or “C” license number from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Line 10: Arlington Business License Number
The license Arlington County has granted to the Representative.
Sections 11 thru 14 - Information of Owner of Real Property Served by work (if applicable)
Line 11: Name
Legal Owner of Real Property.
Line 12: Telephone Number
The telephone number of the property owner from Line 11.
Line 13: Property Address
The legal complete address of the property owner from Line 11.
Line 14: City, State, Zip Code
The City, State and Zip Code of the property owner from Line 11.
Sections 15 thru 20 - Description and Address of Work, Activity or Use of Public Right-of-Way
Line 15: Street Name & Address (Exact location of proposed Work or Activity)
The name of the street(s) on which the permit work will be performed.
Line 16: From, To
Location of the start and end work shall be identified as a distance and direction from a cross street.
Line 17: Purpose of Work or Activity
Identify the type of work that will be performed under the permit.
Line 18: Description of Facility (Check all applicable)
Identify the type of work that will be performed under the permit.
Line 19: Full Description of Work, Activity or Use of Public Right-of-Way (“Work”)
Provide a complete description of the proposed facility including all future uses. If additional space is needed, use company letterhead.
Line 20: Number of Calendar Days Needed to Complete Work after Permit Issuance Date
The number of days requested for work to be completed.
Sections 21 thru 26 - Signature and Contact information of Applicant
Line 21: Signature of Applicant
Sign the name of the authorized company official who will be responsible for the project.
Line 22: Date
Date of signature.
Line 23: Print Name
Print the name of the authorized company Representative who will be responsible for the project.
Line 24: Telephone Number
The phone number of the authorized Representative.
Line 25: Company Full Legal Name (if applicable)
The complete name of the utility owner and the name and title of the company authorized official who is responsible for the project.
Line 26: Title of Representative
The title of the authorized company representative.
• Transportation Public Right-of-Way Permit Application
Sections 1 thru 10 - Information of Applicant
Line 1: Individual or Company Full Legal Name (if applicable)
The complete name of the utility owner and the name and title of the company authorized official who is responsible for the project. The name of the contractor and subcontractors, if any, who will be performing the work shall be included.
Line 2: Name of Representative (First, Middle Initial, Last)
The authorized Representative from Line 1.
Line 3: Title of Representative
The official title of the Representative from Line 2.
Line 4: Telephone Number
The telephone number of the “home office” or the “regional office” of the Representative
Line 5: Cellular Phone Number
The cellular phone number of the Representative.
Line 6: Fax Number
The facsimile number of the Representative. It should be the telephone number of the “home office” or the “regional office”.
Line 7: Address
The complete address of the Representative. Should be the address of the “home office” or the “regional office” which will oversee the permit work.
Line 8: City, State, Zip Code
The City, State and Zip Code of the utility owner. Should be the City, State and Zip Code of the “home office” or the “regional office” which will oversee the permit work.
Line 9: State Contractor's License Number
The Class “A”, “B” or “C” license number from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Line 10: Arlington Business License Number
The license Arlington County has granted to the Representative.
Sections 11 thru 14 - Information of Owner of Real Property Served by work (if applicable)
Line 11: Name
Legal Owner of Real Property.
Line 12: Telephone Number
The telephone number of the property owner from Line 11.
Line 13: Property Address
The legal complete address of the property owner from Line 11.
Line 14: City, State, Zip Code
The City, State and Zip Code of the property owner from Line 11.
Sections 15 thru 20 - Description and Address of Work, Activity or Use of Public Right-of-Way
Line 15: Street Name & Address (Exact location of proposed Work or Activity)
The name of the street(s) on which the permit work will be performed.
Line 16: Block Number and Linear Feet of Work
The street block number(s) where work will be performed. Also linear feet of work performed in the Public Right-of-Way.
Line 17: Date of Activity, Time and Duration
The exact date(s) of work, time of day that work will be performed and the duration in time.
Line 18: Purpose of Work or Activity or Use of Public Right-of-Way (“Work”) (Check all applicable)
Identify the type of work that will be performed under the permit.
Sections 21 thru 26 - Signature and Contact information of Applicant
Line 19: Signature of Applicant
Sign the name of the authorized company official who will be responsible for the project.
Line 20: Date
Date of signature.
21: Print Name
Print the name of the authorized company Representative who will be responsible for the project.
Line 22: Telephone Number
The phone number of the authorized Representative.
Line 23: Company Full Legal Name (if applicable)
The complete name of the utility owner and the name and title of the company authorized official who is responsible for the project.
Line 24: Title of Representative
The title of the authorized company representative.
Reference Documents:
DPRCR Guidelines for Installing Underground Utilities Near Trees
DES Public Right-of-Way Permit Application Form (95 Kb PDF Format)
DES Standard Pavement Restoration for Utility Cuts, Drawing No. M-6.0
(68 Kb PDF Format)
DES Modified Pavement Patching for Utility Cuts on Newly Paved Street,
Drawing No. M-6.1 (68 Kb PDF Format)
List of State and Federal Routes in Arlington County
Active Engineering Project Map(6.4 Mb PDF Format)
CUSTOMER/PERMITS/ROW/PERMIT REQUIREMENTS/SPECIAL CONDITIONS REV 02-15-06
