About Utility Permits
Street Opening Permits are issued to franchise utilities and other organizations for the placement of utility infrastructure in the public right-of-way. Permits are required to ensure that the proposed utility placement is located at a proper depth and sufficient horizontal distance from curbs, water lines, and sewers and that the street surface is repaired to accepted standards, among other requirements. This is done by applying City Code and Administrative Rules during the application process to ensure minimum impact to the street, the travelling public, and other proposed and existing infrastructure.
Utility Street Opening Permits - Submission Instructions
Notice to Applicant
Applicant is responsible for reviewing and complying with Administrative rule TRN 10.19 for permitting of franchise utility infrastructure within public right of way (ROW).
- Installations must be placed parallel or perpendicular to the ROW and must be a minimum of five feet horizontally, skin to skin, form sewer and water infrastructure
- Conduit must be a minimum three feet from back of curb when placed property side
- Poles and vault lids must be placed fully outside of the Pedestrian Through Zone of the sidewalk corridor
Application Submittal
To apply for a Street Opening Permit, navigate to the PBOT Permitting Portal.
Need help applying?
Visit Start Guide: How to Apply | Portland.gov
Application Requirements
- Include north arrow; label street names; show curbs/ edge-of-pavement/ right-of-way lines; include and label any existing facilities related to may impact proposed work
- Specify size, number, and type of any proposed installation or removal of facilities
- Describe method of installation (trench, bore, “cut & kick”, etc.)
- Provide dimensions of proposed work from these lines in the following order:
- Curb lines when a survey has not been completed
- ROW lines when a survey has been completed
- Edge of Pavement when no curb exists
- Include a cross section of any proposed installation (trench, bore, vault, etc.) or otherwise specify the depth of cover (36” minimum)
Permit Fee Schedule
On July 1, 2025, PBOT will implement a revised rate schedule for various right-of-way use and construction permits issued by Right-of-Way Management and Services.
Among the permits slated for rate adjustments are those for utility construction and vertical infrastructure (VI) in the public right-of-way. The following are the fees (full City cost recovery) for the fiscal year 2025-2026:
| Permit Type | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Main Line, Duct, Conduit, Subway, property service laterals, etc. | Sewer Connection more than 100 feet in length; lineal foot | $7.22 per linear foot $722 minimum |
Property Service or Lateral (2” or less) not constructed in conjunction with above and plan review not required. (Does not include large meter vaults, hydrants, or mainline work). |
Each |
$401 per connection |
Miscellaneous Utility Excavations | Per square foot | $7.22 per square foot $722 minimum |
Excavation for construction of utility vaults and manhole chambers | Each | $2,887 each |
Pole or Private street light – placement, replacement, relocation, or removal | Each | $502 each |
Above-Ground Unit (AGU) | Large Above Ground Equipment (i.e., Temporary Pad Mount Transformer) |
$2,887 each |
Above Ground Structures (AGS) | Small above ground equipment (i.e., gas meters, blow-off assembly, Water Quality Sampling Stations, etc.) |
$722 each |
Test Boring (TB) and Pavement Test Coring | Each (Any number per 100 lineal feet) | $657.24 each |
Monitoring Well (MW) Installation | Each | $657.24 each |
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Removal | Each | $1015 each |
Sewer Maintenance Cuts | Each | $161 each |
Utility Locate of City Assets (SSL) | Each (per 100 linear feet of length) | $143.80 each |
Surface Stormwater Facility | Each location | $2,673.09 each |
Cabinet | Each Unit | $1,336.55 each |
EV Charger – Pole Mounted | Each Unit | $2,124.81 |
EV Charger – Ground Mounted | Each Unit | $2,458.95 |
Insurance Processing Fee | Fee associated with Environmental Assessment program (MW/TB/UST). Not applicable to Street Opening Permits | $54 |
| Bond Processing Fee | Fee associated with Environmental Assessment program (MW/TB/UST). Not applicable to Street Opening Permits | $54 |
ADA Design & Inspection (ADI) | Fee associated with the design review and inspection of ramp infrastructure. |
$2,027.93 each |
Site Walk (VI) | Each | $2,615.65 each |
Make-Ready Pre-Design Meeting (VI) | Each | $1,763.72 each |
Application Fee (VI) | Each | $400 each |
Coordination Fee (VI) | Each | $500 each |
Pole Reservation – City Asset (VI) | Each | $2,000 each |
Wireless Cell Site – Small Cell or Macro (VI) | Each | $4,009.64 each |
Make-Ready Review (VI) | Deposit; billed hourly at cost | $10,000 deposit |
Make-Ready Inspection (VI) | Hourly | Varies |
Inspection Information
Applicants can now initiate Inspections and Start Work Notifications directly in the PBOT Permitting Portal. Applicants can also view request details, permit documents and status updates for each of their permits via the portal.
The permit holder is required to inform the Inspection Section via the portal at least 48 hours prior to the anticipated start of work, unless instructed otherwise. If work does not commence as scheduled, notification will need to be repeated. Failure to provide notification will result in a doubling of permit fees as a penalty.
To schedule an inspection, navigate to the PBOT Permitting Portal.
Need help applying?
Visit Start Guide: How to Apply | Portland.gov
Environmental Assessment Permits
The City of Portland issues permits to perform test bores, pavement cores, potholing, general excavations, as well as decommissioning or removing underground storage tanks or monitoring wells within City of Portland public right-of-way.
Visit the Environmental Assessment Program website for more information:
Environmental Assessment Program
Sewer Connection or Repair Permits
All sewer and storm work on public and private property require a permit and inspection. The City keeps detailed records of all connections to the City sewer system. These records are made possible by permit and inspection and protect public health and safety. You must get a permit through the Development Service Center to connect to the city sewer system.
Contact: Development Services Center 503-823-7310