Right-of-Way Areas

Right-of-way areas are areas of land that are owned by the city for the purposes of constructing, operating and maintaining public facilities such as streets, alleys, sidewalks, bike paths, utilities and other public infrastructure.

Right-of-Way Regulations

In order to ensure that rights-of-way continue to serve their intended purposes, the city regulates most work in these areas through contractor licensing and construction permitting.

In preparation for obtaining a license to work in the public right-of-way, a contractor must provide proof of insurance, workers' compensation, and a surety bond. An annual fee is charged for the license, and additional fees are applicable to cover permit review and inspection costs associated with each project.

Right-of-Way Construction

Examples of public right-of-way work include:

  • Utility mains and services

  • Fire Hydrants

  • Water meters

  • Sidewalks

  • Street cuts

  • Curb cuts

  • Curb and gutter

  • Street & Alley paving

Because rights-of-way are the property of the city and not the adjacent landowner, they cannot be fenced off for private use. Property owners are responsible for some maintenance of the right-of-way adjacent to their property, including removing snow from sidewalks and mowing grass. Structural encroachments into the right-of-way are prohibited, and storage of construction materials requires a permit.

  • Right-of-Way Contractor License Application

  • Right-of-Way Permit

  • Commercial/Residential Meter Sizing

  • Water & Sewer P.I.F. Computation

All right-of-way permits and applications can be found in the Applications and Forms database.

Utility inspections may be requested through ROWinspectionRequest@bouldercolorado.gov.

Request a Right-of-Way, Wet Utilities & In-Property Permit

Get the form

The following permits rely on the Right of Way, Wet Utilities & In-Property Permit Form (PDF):

  • Right of Way and Wet Utilities: Only a right-of-way licensed contractor may apply for the ROW Permit, and it must be present on the construction site.
  • In-Property: Homeowner or licensed right-of-way contractor may apply for the permit.
  • Traffic Control Plan (TCP): Required for work within the ROW.

The form is also available by searching on the Applications and Forms Database.

Complete the form

Please follow the instructions in the form and attach the following:

  • Construction Drawings (or Site Plans) showing the location, type of work and easements;
  • Traffic/Pedestrian Control drawn by a certified Traffic Control Supervisor;
  • State Highway Utility Permit (where applicable);
  • State Highway Access Permit (where applicable);
  • Building Permit (where applicable);
  • Railroad, Ditch Company Permission (where applicable);
  • Floodplain Development Permit (where applicable);
  • ROW/Easement Dedication (where applicable);
  • Water/Sewer Permit (where applicable);
  • Landscaping Plan (where applicable); and
  • Wetland Permit (where applicable).

*Note that the City of Boulder may require additional plans, permits or documentation as a condition of any ROW permit. If your proposed work involves multiple locations, please contact staff via Inquire Boulder or ROW@BoulderColorado.gov to discuss options for bulk area permitting.

Submit the form

Send the form and associated attachments to:

Request an inspection

Request a Right-of-Way Private Utilities Permit

Get the form

The following permits rely on the Right of Way Private Utilities Permit Form:

  • Utilities: Telecommunications, gas, electric and cable ONLY. Only a right-of-way licensed contractor may apply for the ROW Permit, and it must be present on the construction site.
  • Traffic Control Plan (TCP): Required for work within the ROW

The form is also available by searching on the Applications and Forms Database.

Complete the form

Please follow the instructions in the form and attach the following:

  • State Highway Utility Permit (where applicable);
  • State Highway Access Permit (where applicable);
  • Building Permit (where applicable);
  • Railroad, Ditch Company Permission (where applicable);
  • Floodplain Development Permit (where applicable);
  • ROW/Easement Dedication (where applicable);
  • Water/Sewer Permit (where applicable);
  • Landscaping Plan (where applicable); and
  • Wetland Permit (where applicable).

*Note that the City of Boulder may require additional plans, permits or documentation as a condition of any ROW permit.

Submit the form

  1. Email
  2. Mail
    • Post the form and associated attachments to:
      P.O. Box 791 Boulder, CO 80306

Request an inspection

Find Licensed Right-of-Way Contractors

Customer Self-Service Portal

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Request a Tap for New Water or Sewer Service

Permit Notification

  • Contractors will be notified by email when their building permit and sub-permits, Utility permits and Right-of-Way permits are issued.
  • This may take up to one business day after payment is made.

Request Tap Installation

After the above permits are issued, contractors may call (303) 441-3200 to request a tap installation.

Please have the following information ready:

  • Utility Sub-Permit Number, listed on the Building Permit
  • Address of installation
  • Tap type: domestic water, fire line, fire hydrant, irrigation, sanitary sewer, storm sewer
  • Tap size, including upsize information
  • Contact information for scheduling

Scheduling an Installation

  • The appropriate work group will contact you to schedule an installation.
  • Upsizes require three days’ notification to surrounding residents due to water service disruption.

Parts

  • The City of Boulder no longer supplies water meter parts such as yokes, pits/lids or tapping saddle parts to contractors. All contractors must obtain parts from their own suppliers that meet our Design and Construction Standards.

Request a New Water Meter Service

Permit Notification

  • Contractors will be notified by email when their building permit and sub-permits, Utility permits and Right-of-Way permits are issued.
  • This may take up to one business day after payment is made.

Construct a Meter Pit

  • Contractors are required to construct their meter pit and prepare for the installation using approved guidelines.
  • A list of parts needed (PDF) is available.

Get an Inspection

Request a Meter Installation

After the meter pit is green tagged, contractors may call (303) 441-3200 to request a meter installation.

Please have the following information ready:

  • Utility Sub-Permit Number, listed on the Building Permit
  • Address of Installation
  • Meter type: domestic water or irrigation
  • Meter size
  • Contact information for scheduling

Scheduling an Installation

  • The meter team will contact you to schedule an installation.
  • If your pit is not green tagged when the meter team arrives onsite, you will be charged for their visit and will need to schedule an inspection and call the meter request in again.

Parts

  • The City of Boulder no longer supplies water meter parts such as yokes, pits/lids or tapping saddle parts to contractors.
  • All contractors must obtain parts from their own suppliers that meet our Design and Construction Standards.

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