7. EXCAVATION IN PUBLIC STREETS The E-Permit & U-Permit

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1 7. EXCAVATION IN PUBLIC STREETS The E-Permit & U-Permit 7.1 E-Permit and U-Permit Permit Description and Purpose The Excavation Permit (E-Permit) and the Utility Permit (U-Permit) are issued to allow construction, inspection, maintenance, repair, abandonment or removal of facilities that require vertical boring, horizontal boring, directional boring, trenching, or excavation in the public right-of-way. Examples of projects permitted under an E-Permit or U-Permit include construction work related to the relocation of a utility box, the relocation of a streetlight, the drilling of monitoring wells, and test boring to locate substructures. Excavation on private property adjacent to the public right-of-way may also require an E-Permit to ensure adequate lateral support of the public right-of-way. Failure to check the impact of excavation on private property relative to the public right-of-way could lead to the undermining and failure of the sidewalk or street pavement. The E-Permit and U- Permit may be issued in conjunction with an A-Permit (minor street construction), or with a B-Permit (major street construction). The public right-of-way generally consists of street easements that contain City streets, roadways, alleys, parkways, and sidewalks. The public right-of-way also includes public easements, such as sewer and storm drain easements and unimproved, paper streets. The purpose of these permit processes is to ensure that excavation work complies with the City s design and material specifications and that construction work is properly inspected. As excavation work can be hazardous, the public safety and welfare are protected when these processes are strictly enforced. In addition, these permit processes also allow the BOE to keep records of the location, ownership, and type of underground facilities within the public right-ofway. Finally, these permit processes help ensure that the Permitee is receiving a quality construction product. The difference between the E-Permit and U-Permit is that the E-Permit is issued to private entities and individuals that do not have the authority to occupy the public right-of-way. A one-time authority to occupy the public right-of-way is granted to private entities and individuals through the underground Revocable Permit (R-Permit) process. If you do not have the authority to occupy the public right-of-way, please refer to the E-Permit section and Chapter 8. The U-Permit is issued to entities with the authority to occupy the public right-ofway under a City or State Franchise Agreement, a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the State Public Utilities Commission, or some other legal authority. In general, U-Permits are issued to utility companies only. If you have the authority to occupy the public right-of-way please, refer to the U- Permit Section.

2 City s Authority for the Excavation Permits Excavation permits are defined and processed according to Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Sections 62.01, 62.03, and No person, nor any department or officer of this City shall make an excavation in or under the surface of any public street or public place for the installation, inspection, repair, abandonment, or removal of any tank, pipe, conduit, duct, tunnel, or footing, or for any other purpose, or make an excavation on private property adjacent to a public street where lateral support to such street or improvements or property within such street is imperiled by such excavation, without first making and filing a written application therefor with the Board and receiving a permit from the Board to do so. No portions of this ordinance shall be construed or is intended to exempt sewer and storm drain connections; sewers and storms drains being constructed under B permit provisions of this article; or departments or officers of this City acting in a governmental capacity and performing work with their own forces for the City. The area in a street between the face of an existing or future curb and four feet back of such curb face is reserved for use by the Department of Public Works. Installation of facilities within, or other use of, this area will not be permitted except as provided herein. The Board may issue permits as provided in Section for installations in or use of this area. Such permits are subject to revocation by the Board at any time it becomes necessary to construct a public work of any kind within the area. How long does it take to get an E-Permit or a U-Permit? It depends on the complexity of the construction work, the size of excavation work, the ability of the Applicant to comply with City Standards, the quality of construction drawings, and the workload of City Staff. In general, the process takes 2 weeks to 3 months to complete. How long is an E-Permit or U-Permit valid? 6 months from the date of issuance. When does an E-Permit or U-Permit expire? 6 months from the date of issuance unless construction has commenced.

3 How will the City determine if a project is being performed diligently? The Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) and the City Engineer will make periodic site visits to make this determination. Does the City grant E-Permit or U-Permit Extensions? No extensions of time for commencement of work beyond the 6-month period will be granted. If my E-Permit or U-Permit is expired, is a new application required? Yes, a new application is required. 7.2 General Conditions or Requirements for an E-Permit or a U-Permit The E-Permit for street light relocation requires a Miscellaneous Cash Bond. The E-Permit for lateral support requires a work order with $1,000 deposit and a Lateral Support Bond. The E-Permit for a monitoring well requires a work order with $1,000 deposit and a Miscellaneous Cash Bond. The E-Permit for soil boring requires a Miscellaneous Cash Bond. The E-Permit for conduit installation requires an R-Permit, performance bond, and liability insurance. For cuts that are smaller than 100 square feet, no drawings are necessary. However, the following exceptions have occurred: 1) Cut and Bore projects require a small cut that is 9 sq. ft. to 12 sq. ft. to start the boring of a mainline conduit that may run for 100 s of feet 2) Cable Television mainline installations sometimes use a Rock Wheel that is only about 4 wide at the gutter-out, but may also run for 100 s of feet For cuts that are between 100 to 1,000 square feet, a drawing is required with detailed dimensions. For cuts that are more than 1,000 square feet, a drawing is required with detailed dimensions, and a work order is opened to capture engineering and inspection charges. Review of plans is necessary to avoid conflicts with other utilities. Information Required Before an E-Permit or a U-Permit Can be Issued A completed application via the Internet or printed paper form is required. A dimensioned and drawn-to-scale sketch or plan is required for large projects or when requested by the permit-engineer.

4 E-Permit and U-Permit Specifications The work shall be in accordance with the BOE s Standard Plans. These Standard plans are available on the Internet at Inspection Requirements Request for inspection must be made with the Bureau of Contract Administration at least 24 hours before work is started. The telephone numbers are (818) for the Valley area and (213) for all other areas. All work shall be in accordance with the Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction. Public Notification In general, no public notification is required. However, there is specific notice and sign requirements related to public safety that may be required by the E-Permit & U- Permit process on a case-by-case basis. As a courtesy, the Applicant and Permittee are encouraged to notify neighbors of construction work prior to the start of construction. Safety Requirements In general, safety measures in accordance with the current edition of the Work Area Traffic Control Manual are required for construction work. Specific safety requirements will be listed as conditions of E-Permit & U-Permit approval and must be maintained by the Permittee. 7.3 Standard Fees The following are some common fees charged under a typical E-Permit & U-Permit. For more details see STANDARD FEES, CHARGES AND DEPOSITS

5 Inspection Fees The inspection fee for an E-Permit is $57.50 per hour, and the minimum inspection time is four hours for large projects. A Work Order will be required to capture any engineering and inspection costs. U-Permit inspection fees are actual costs for cuts above 1,000 square feet, $1.35 per square foot for cuts from 100 to 999 square feet, and no charge for cuts below 100 square feet. Other Fees A Street Damage Restoration Fee will be charged based on the age of the pavement and the area of the cutting. If the street has been resurfaced or constructed during the past year, from the date of permit issuance, then the entire street from block to block shall be resurfaced. The Traffic Lane Closure Fee, which only applies to the Rail Construction Traffic Management Committee (RCTMC) area, is $ per lane, per block, per day. A Tieback Fee will be charged for lateral support and shoring under an EPermit. Permanent tie-backs are not acceptable. Each temporary anchor located within 20 feet from the street s surface is $133.00, and each anchor located more than 20 feet from the street s surface is $ An Improvement Cash Bond or Performance Bond will be required at the request of the permit-engineer, depending on the scope of the project. Utility companies are exempt from this bond. 7.4 Cancellations and Refunds Refunds are available for those portions of work not completed or when incorrect fees were collected. Unless incorrect fees were collected or the permit was issued in error, a $31.00 administrative fee, 2% surcharge and 7% surcharge will be deducted from the refunded amount. Refund applications are available from the City Clerk s Office or via the Internet. The E-Permit/U-Permit or a copy of the permit, along with the receipt, must be attached to the completed application. 7.5 Other Agencies Requirements for E-Permits or U-Permits Liability insurance and Waiver of Damages in favor of the City are required to the satisfaction of the City Attorney for E-Permits. What if my project is in a City Planning Specific Plan Area? Your project must comply with the Specific Plan requirements. Please contact City Planning for specific requirements. In addition, if your project is in a hillside

6 area, the requirements of the Hillside Ordinance may be triggered. Please check with your B-Permit plan checker regarding Hillside Ordinance requirements. 7.6 Enforcement In general, E-Permit and U-Permit requirements and conditions are enforced through the plan-check and inspection processes. What is a violation? 1) Doing work without a permit 2) Performing operations that are not included in the permit 3) Failing to comply with provisions of the LAMC 4) Failing to comply with permit requirements How will violations be dealt with? Violations will be subject to Administrative Penalties. This could include the suspension of work and the suspension of future excavation permit approvals. 7.7 How to Apply for an E-Permit or a U-Permit Job Description A project address or a job location is required for all projects. Permit-engineers shall check and confirm the address and location. Work Scope The scope of the project shall be stated on the application, and a detail plan or sketch shall be attached to the application. E-Permit and U-Permit Application E-Permit/U-Permit applications are available at all BOE district offices. U- Permits are available on the Internet by going to BOE s website at E-Permit and U-Permit Issuance After applications are submitted, permit-engineers will review the application and submittals. In case of complex excavation projects, additional information may be required. After compliance with the conditions (if any) and upon payment of fees, an E-Permit will be issued.

7 Other Agency Conditions and Clearances The E-Permit and U-Permit process requires review and clearance from other agencies. This includes checking of the street age for calculation of the Street Damage Restoration Fee, review of conflicts with existing substructures, and review of traffic conditions by DOT. If work is within a City Planning Specific Plan Area (or other special area), City Planning review is required. Permit review often results in conditions imposed by the reviewing agency. The Applicant must complete these conditions as part of the E-Permit and U-Permit approval. Notification of Inspection Prior to commencing work, the applicant is required to call for inspection 24 hours in advance. The E-Permit/U-Permit should be available at the site at all times. Final Inspection After completion of the work and the Final Inspection has been made, a sign off will be given to the Permittee. Customer Satisfaction Survey At the conclusion of all permit transactions with a customer, Applicant, and/or Permittee, all Public Counter Staff shall present the customer a Customer Satisfaction Survey Form. The Survey shall be presented to every customer, at every transaction. Should the customer decline to accept the Survey, Public Counter Staff are instructed to simply place the declined Survey back into Survey storage trays. The Survey is a valuable tool to improve customer service by listening to the customer. 7.8 How to Check the E-Permit Application The following list of items can be used by Public Counter staff to check the E- Permit Application. 1) Check completed E-Permit Application Verify name, address, and phone number of Applicant Verify private engineer and or contractor name, address and telephone number. 2) Verify Scope of Work Verify work location Verify type of work

8 Determine if work includes an Above Ground Facility Inform Applicant of Revocable Permit requirement if applicable Determine if work is in a City Planning Specific Plan Area (or other City Planning special area). If applicable, refer customer to City Planning. 3) Verify Bond and Liability Insurance 4) Obtain Applicant signature and collect fees Determine applicability of Street Damage Restoration Fee Calculate applicable E-Permit fees Issue permit 7.9 How to Check the U-Permit 1) Check completed U-Permit Application Verify name, address, and phone number of Applicant Verify private engineer and or contractor name, address and telephone number. 2) Verify Scope of Work Verify work location Verify type of work Determine size of U-Permit job, small cut or large cut. Determine if this job includes an Above Ground Facility Determine if other permits are required. Determine if work is in a City Planning Specific Plan Area (or other City Planning special area). If applicable, refer customer to City Planning. 3) Create workorder for large cuts 4) Complete Information Technology Agency (ITA) survey, (for telecommunication entities) 5) Obtain Applicant signature and collect fees Determine applicability of Street Damage Restoration Fee Collect Street Damage Restoration Fee Issue permit