Utility Right-of-Way Applications

Utility Right of Way applications for Galveston Island are submitted online through the City eportal.

Utility Permits in the Right of Way include the following:

  • Overheard lines.
  • Fiber optic cable.
  • Bore, trenching, hand digging & excavating.
  • Small cell (4G/5G) nodes.
  • Soil samples/geotechnical bores.
  • Replacement and new installation of utility poles and collocation to existing poles.
  • Replacement and new installation of vaults, handholes, & cabinets.
  • Tie-in to existing storm sewer in the City Right of Way.
  • Tie-in to existing water/sanitary sewer in the City Right of Way.  *Contact utilities division for water and sanitary tap applications and for a quote on inspection services that requires a Municipal Utility Supervisor to be present during a tie-in performed by a contractor. Contact publicworks@galvestontx.gov*

Water and Sanitary Sewer Taps: Taps are performed by the City unless otherwise specified by the applicant, indicating that the contractor will handle the tap. Contractors performing the tap are required to adhere to the City of Galveston Standards for installation. This includes but is not limited to the proposed material to be utilized and P.E. stamped design plans through the permitting process for review. See the application for more information on the required documentation.

GIS HUB: We encourage all applicants for utility right-of-way permits to visit the City of Galveston's official GIS website to view public utilities and CIP Infrastructure Projects Page to avoid any conflicts with CIP projects that are in design or construction. 

UTITLIY R.O.W INFORMATION

See Utility Permit Sequence form for full list of required documentation.

  • Design Plans: Provide with your completed application, detailed TX P.E. drawings showing depths, scaled dimension drawings of proposed poles, as well as any other proposed equipment associated with the proposed installation, indicating spacing from existing curb, public right-of-way line, driveways, sidewalks, light poles, off street pathways, and existing public and private utilities.
  • Construction and installation methods to be employed for protection of existing structures, fixtures, and facilities within or adjacent to the public right-of-way and the dates and times the work will occur, all of which are subject to approval of the City Engineer.
  • Performance Bond, Right of Way Bond or Permit Bond: The bond amount will be in accordance with the linear feet of proposed buried line x 100. Example, if the proposed buried line is 300-feet then the bond amount would be $30,000. If the proposed buried line is less than a 100-feet then the minimum bond amount is $10,000 respectively.
  • Code of Ordinances
  • Insurance information : Article VI. - Utility Construction in Public right-of-ways Sec. 31-281 (a)(5)(a.)
  • Article VII. - Network Nodes in Public Right-of-Ways Sec. 31.302. - Applicable fees and rental rates to the city
Applicant registration for utility permits in the right-of-way:
  • Email engineering@galvestontx.gov and provide the following information listed below.
  • Name, number, email, company address, site address, type of work proposed, who the work is performed for.
  • Accela registration steps will assist you in completing your online registration once a contractor number is provided to you.

Documentation

  1. Design Manual
  2. Application: Utility Permit Sequence Form

Eportal registration for permit submittal & payments online

  1. Accela Registration Steps

Displaying a Permit: Permit holders are required to keep a copy of the approved permit visibly displayed at the work site and able to provide it upon request by City staff.

Stop-Work Order: A stop-work order on all permitted activities may be placed at a project site if a contractor fails to comply with any aspect of the permit until the violation is rectified. Upon receipt of such a directive, the permit holder must immediately cease all permitted work, though they may undertake measures to secure the site. No work or activates shall recommence until written consent has been provided. 

ARTICLE VI. - UTILITY CONSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS

Sec. 31-281. - Registration and construction permits can be found here 

ARTICLE VII. - NETWORK NODES IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS

Sec. 31-302. - Applicable fees and rental rates to the city can be found here