Infrastructure Engineering Services Right of Way (ROW) Permits

• Permit requests sent via email will not be processed.  

• Applications for original permits, extensions, and renewals must be submitted online. 

 Original Permit:
• There is not yet an existing permit for the scope of work at the job site. 
 Permit Extension:
• Permit has been expired for thirty (30) days or fewer, and scope of work is not being modified,  and traffic control plans are not being modified. Traffic control fees apply. 
 Permit Renewal:
• Permit has been expired for thirty-one (31) days or more, or the scope of work and/or contractor performing the work has changed. Construction and traffic control fees apply. 

• Standard review time is at least five (5) business days, plus an additional two (2) days for processing. 

• If you request a start date fewer than seven (7) calendar days away, select the earliest calendar option on the form and include your desired dates in the “Special Conditions” field.  

• We cannot guarantee that an earlier permit date will be fulfilled, but efforts will be made to honor the dates requested. 

• Payments submitted after 1:00 p.m. will not be processed until the following business day.  

• A receipt from our “noreply” email address indicates that payment has been captured. It does not indicate that the permit has been fully processed.  

Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Permits

For Thornton CIP projects. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure CIP Construction Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

• Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
• Quality Level B construction plans must be uploaded to the application.
• Supply the Thornton Project Manager’s name and CIP project number.
• An approved Traffic Control Permit when one is required. This is obtained through the Infrastructure CIP Traffic Permit application.
• Pre-construction meeting with Thornton staff no less than 48 hours before starting work.

Franchise Permits

For work including, but not limited to, potholing, boring, trenching, utility pole work, any work in and outside Thornton and/or its right-of-way. Applicable only to franchisees (Comcast, United Power, Xcel Energy) and their subcontractors. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure Franchise Construction Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

• Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
• Quality Level B construction plans must be uploaded to the application.
• An approved Traffic Control Permit if one is required. This is obtained through the Infrastructure CIP Traffic Permit application.
• $250 permit fee.
• Pre-construction meeting with Thornton staff no less than 48 hours before starting work.
  

General Permits

For projects not associated with CIP, Franchise, Water/Sewer service repair, or Chase Drain installation/Curb Cuts. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure Other Construction Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

• Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
• Quality Level B construction plans must be uploaded to the application.
• An approved Traffic Control Permit if one is required. This is obtained through the Infrastructure Other Traffic Permit application.
• Permit cost is dependent on the total construction cost of the project. 
• Bond/Escrow will be held for two years from the Final Inspection. The bond amount is to be determined by the City Engineer.
• Pre-construction meeting with Thornton staff no less than 48 hours before starting work.
  

General construction permits may have the following additional requirements:

• ROW Use Agreement - An agreement between the contractor and the city of Thornton to have permission to work within the city’s right-of-way (ROW). The ROW Use Agreement covers contractors placing fiber within the city’s ROW but applies to contractors building a structure and/or facility. The ROW Use Agreement is written by the Infrastructure Traffic Manager, the first contact in the agreement process. This agreement requires approval from the city of Thornton’s City Council.
• Revocable Permit - A permit allowing a contractor to place a structure, such as monitoring wells, within the city’s right-of-way (ROW) and is given a designated time frame to remove the structure from the city’s ROW. The designated timeframe can be from one day to three years and up to 100 years, depending on the circumstance. The permit will be revoked with a 90-day notice at the end of the permit timeframe. This permit will go before City Council for approval. Insurance on a Revocable Permit will be for one-year increments for the permit term.
• Floodplain Development Permit – A Floodplain Development Permit (FDP) is required before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard area. A construction permit will not be issued until the floodplain manager has approved the Floodplain Development Permit.

Sewer Service Repair, Water Service Repair, Chase Drain Installation, and Curb Cut Permits

For repairs to Thornton utilities within City limits that extend from the yard to the ROW (sidewalk and/or street is disturbed), or repairs to Thornton utilities that are outside City limits (i.e., Unincorporated Adams County or Denver), chase drain installations, and curb cuts. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure Sewer/Water Service Repair Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

• Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
  
• A traffic control plan must be uploaded to the application for work within City Limits. If work is being done outside City limits, you must apply for a traffic control permit with the appropriate jurisdiction.
• The Construction permit fee is based on the contract amount extended to the customer, plus $50 for the Traffic Control Permit when applicable.
• The scheduling of inspections will only occur Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Calls received on Tuesday/Thursday may not be returned until the following business day.

Additional Information

Paving Moratorium - No provider shall cause an open trench excavation or potholing of utilities in the pavement of any ROW for at least one year from the completion or resurfacing unless authorized by the city’s Streets Manager. If an asphalt cut is unavoidable and approved by the Streets Manager, the replacement shall cover a greater area than the original cut, which the streets manager will determine.

Minimal Interference

• Ten feet minimum horizontal clearance
• 18-inch minimum vertical clearance
• If the minimum horizontal and vertical clearances are not adhered to, then the permittee assumes all risk of damage and loss arising out of failure to comply with required clearances. 

Operating Without a Permit - Any person found to be conducting any construction activity, work, or excavation activity without having first obtained a construction permit shall stop all activity until appropriate permit(s) are obtained.