# Regulation .04 Applications for a Street-cuts Permit.

Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## Regulation .04 Applications for a Street-cuts Permit.

Balt., Md., COBRA § 14.03.01.04 (2026)

A. An application for a Street-cuts Permit

  (1) shall include the following information:

    (a) applicant name and contact information;

    (b) contractor name and contact information;

    (c) work location and address;

    (d) description of proposed work;

    (e) information for the Street-cut including:

      (i) requested start date and time;

      (ii) requested end date and time;

      (iii) street lane, bicycle facility or sidewalk closures;

      (iv) use of steel plates;

      (v) length, depth and width of any trench;

      (vi) work which will occur on weekends;

      (vii) work which will occur at night;

      (viii) a Traffic Control Plan (“TCP”), if required;

      (ix) estimated number of Street-cuts; and

      (x) drawing showing the location, type, size, and TCP.

  (2) shall provide evidence of Performance Security in an amount specified on the DOT website at transportation.baltimorecity.gov/

    (a) A single Performance Security may be used for multiple permits by the same contractor as allowed by the Department.

    (b) Contractors who fail to maintain a minimum Performance Security, as determined by the Director, shall be prohibited from working in the Public Way, unless specifically authorized by the Director.

  (3) shall provide a point of contact in case of emergency that includes:

    (a) a name, email address, and phone number;

    (b) someone who is available on a 24-hour basis.

B. An applicant shall be required to submit the following for a permit:

  (1) Drawings or acceptable sketches which shall include or identify:

    (a) the size and location of each Street-Cut;

    (b) pavement restoration details;

    (c) pavement type; and

    (d) work that impacts any traffic on one of the following roadway classes, as defined by Roadway Functional Classification map located at https://transportation.baltimorecity.gov:

      (i) Collector,

      (ii) Minor Arterial,

      (iii) Other Principal Arterial,

      (iv) Freeway and Expressway, or

      (v) Interstate Principal Arterial.

    (e) a final pavement marking plan consistent with the applicable requirements for pavement marking as set forth in the Book of Standards issued by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) (the “Green Book”), including:

      (i) bicycle facilities;

      (ii) parking facilities;

      (iii) crosswalks; and

      (iv) other pedestrian pavement marking.

  (2) Within 5 days of application submission, an applicant shall submit a color photograph including:

    (a) the current pavement condition of the right-of-way;

    (b) the date; and

    (c) a time stamp.

C. An applicant is required to submit a Traffic Control Plan (“TCP”).

  (1) Traffic Control Plans are required when any of the following conditions exist:

    (a) sidewalk closure or detour;

    (b) bicycle facility closure or detour; or

    (c) roadway closure or detour on a roadway.

  (2) All lanes in the roadway shall be treated as travel lanes, unless clearly marked as a parking lane by a solid white line.

  (3) A TCP shall include:

    (a) a site plan covering 2 to 3 blocks in each direction from the construction site;

    (b) the installation and location of advanced warning signs which include:

      (i) for any roadway lane closure, a minimum of the following three advanced warning signs installed at least 300 feet apart, unless a request to change the spacing is submitted for prior approval:

        (A) Road Work Ahead,

        (B) Right/Left/Center Lane Closed Ahead, and

        (C) a transition sign for the lane being closed.

      (ii) for a parking lane closure, no arrow board is required; however, the following three advanced warning signs shall be installed at least 300 feet apart:

        (A) Road Work Ahead,

        (B) Curb Lane Closed Ahead, and

        (C) a transition sign for the lane being closed.

      (iii) for the closure of multiple roadway lanes

        (A) an arrow board is required for each lane being closed, and

        (B) the placement of advanced warning signs as required by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (“MUTCD”).

    (c) a flagging operation and multiple lane closure for utility cuts and work areas that extend more than 10 feet from the curb lane;

    (d) when a flagging operation is provided for by the applicant or required by the Department:

      (i) all directions of travel must be controlled by a flagger;

      (ii) it must be noted on your application when working at a signalized intersection; and

      (iii) advanced warning signage must include Flagman Ahead signs;

    (e) road closure detours shall

      (i) be clearly signed to direct traffic around the road closure and reestablish travel back to the road after the closure;

      (ii) include the following advanced warning signs:

        (A) Road Closed Ahead,

        (B) Detour ahead, and

        (C) Road Closed;

      (iii) include a physical barrier at the actual road closure for all directions of travel;

    (f) roadway classification;

    (g) a note to contact TMC each work morning prior to start of work and each afternoon at end of work;

    (h) all affected bicycle and pedestrian facilities and the traffic control for each;

    (i) traffic control channelization devices to be used;

    (j) location of all steel plates in the area affected;

    (k) information as to any pedestrian detours which shall:

      (i) maintain a minimum 4 foot ADA accessible path for pedestrians when work is conducted on a sidewalk:

        (A) the ADA accessible pathway may be located in a parking lane, and

        (B) shall have an appropriate physical barrier between vehicles and pedestrians;

      (ii) if a sidewalk is to be closed, the closure must be at the nearest intersection crosswalk with signs directing pedestrians across the street, and

        (A) the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street must be ADA accessible, and

        (B) must include a ramp and 4-foot pedestrian pathway;

    (l) information as to any bicycle facility detours which shall provide for or adhere to the following:

      (i) lane and road closures include lane transitions for bicyclists, and

      (ii) if the bicycle lane cannot be maintained, an explanation of why it cannot be maintained and an alternate route for the bicyclist; and

      (iii) if a bicyclist must use the sidewalk as an alternate route, warning signage must include:

        (A) Bike Lane Closure, and

        (B) Dismount and Walk Bicycle on Sidewalk;

    (m) any other TCP control needed for unique locations or work;

    (n) for Emergency work performed under a blanket permit, a trained and certified emergency traffic manager shall be on-site at all times until the contractor has provided the Department with a TCP which is approved.

  (4) The following conditions, if not immediately corrected, constitute a violation of the Street-cuts permit and may result in a fine or issuance of a Stop work order:

    (a) failure to obtain an approved TCP when required to do so,

    (b) failure to maintain at the work site a copy of the approved TCP for inspection, or

    (c) failure to adhere to the conditions of the TCP.

  (5) No equipment, materials, or other construction matter is permitted to be staged or stored, in bicycle facilities, on sidewalks, or within other non-motorized travel facilities unless the contractor obtains

    (a) prior written approval, and

    (b) any additional required permits.

D. Applications for a Street-cuts permit are

  (1) processed through the DOT Right-of-Way Permits Section which is located at 401 East Fayette Street, Lower Level, Baltimore, Maryland 21202;

  (2) on the DOT website under Quick Forms; and

  (3) submitted by email with all required information to <u>row.permit.documents@baltimorecity.gov</u>.

E. The applicant listed on a Temporary Use Right-of-Way Permit

  (1) is responsible for all work performed under the permit, including but not limited to any subcontractor; and

  (2) will receive any notice from the Department concerning the work.