Permits

Right of Way Use Permits - Overview

Contractors and service providers wanting to temporarily (more than five minutes and less than 30 days) occupy a traffic lane, planting strip or sidewalk within the public right of way (ROW) must obtain a Right of Way Use Permit from CDOT. Each request to occupy the ROW is considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure that there is no adverse impact to public safety. Additionally, all requests must comply with CDOT's  Work Area Traffic Control Handbook (WATCH). 

​Permits can be issued for these situations:

Lane Closure - closing one or more lanes of a street.

Sidewalk Closure - closing a sidewalk. Suitable provisions for pedestrians must be made.

Street Closure - closing the entire street requires preparing a detour plan and advance notice to emergency services.

​Typically, CDOT's staff will review, approve and issue the permit 24-48 hours from initial contact. Full street closure requests should be submitted at least 10 days prior to the desired closure date. 

Currently, there is no fee charged for the issuance of a Right of Way Use Permit if on-street metered parking spaces are not impacted. If on-street metered parking spaces are impacted, the Parkit Office will issue appropriate permits and determine associated fees. 

Some examples include:

  • Moving Vans
  • Sign/Banner placement
  • Sidewalk construction/replacement*
  • Tree trimming/landscaping
  • Driveway construction
  • Access to manholes in the street

* This item will also require a Street Cut Permit from the Street Maintenance Department if any pavement or sidewalk will be removed.

​Closures will not be allowed during certain times of the day due to traffic congestion. In the Central Business District (CBD), these hours are between 7 a.m.-9 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Outside the CBD, these hours are between 7 a.m.-9 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Requestor is solely responsible for proper traffic control setup and removal. 

Right of Way Use Permit Request Requirements

Permit requests should be emailed to eweidemann@charlottenc.gov at least 24 hours in advance and contain the following information:

  • Requestor contact information (name, address, phone number, email address, etc.).
  • Proposed date(s) and time(s) for the work to be performed. 
  • Type of work to be performed including a full description of the scope of work and reasoning for the closure.
  • Location where the work will be performed (street address or street segments).
  • Specify which traffic control diagrams from the Work Area Traffic Control Handbook (WATCH) will be used.

The ROW Use Permit, if granted, will be returned by email to the requestor and copies must be displayed on the dashboard of all vehicles working in the permit area. CDOT reserves the right to alter closure plans to minimize impacts to the traveling public.

View a printable ROW Permit Program brochure here.

Contact Information

ROW Use Permits 
Eric Weidemann, 704-432-1562

Right of Way Section Manager
David Smith, 704-336-4626


 ROW Documents