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.
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.
Examples of public right-of-way work include:
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.
The following permits rely on the Right of Way, Wet Utilities & In-Property Permit Form:
The form is also available by searching on the Applications and Forms Database.
Please follow the instructions in the form and attach the following:
*Note that the City of Boulder may require additional plans, permits or documentation as a condition of any ROW permit.
Send the form and associated attachments to:
The following permits rely on the Right of Way Private Utilities Permit Form:
The form is also available by searching on the Applications and Forms Database.
Please follow the instructions in the form and attach the following:
*Note that the City of Boulder may require additional plans, permits or documentation as a condition of any ROW permit.
After the above permits are issued, contractors may call (303) 441-3200 to request a tap installation.
Please have the following information ready:
After the meter pit is green tagged, contractors may call (303) 441-3200 to request a meter installation.
Please have the following information ready:
