RAPID/Roadmap/3-OH-c
Ohio State Highway Right-of-Way (3-OH-c)
Commercial Access Permit:
A Commercial Access Permit is required for direct access to a state highway. The ODOT developed the Ohio State Highway Access Management Manual (“Access Manual”) to manage access to state highways in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; to preserve the operational and functional integrity of the state highway system; and to promote the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Requirements and standards depend on the type of highway facility involved. See Access Manual § 3 for a description of each category.
Utility Permit:
A Utility Permit is required for the installation, removal, or maintenance of temporary or permanent underground or overhead installations. This includes installations that either cross or run longitudinally within the highway right-of-way on both limited access and non-limited access highways. Utility Manual § 8102.06.
State Highway Right-of-Way Process
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3-OH-c.1 – Contact Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) (Optional)
The developer may wish to contact the ODOT prior to submitting a Permit Application to determine which documents and information are required, as well as the number of copies of the Application the developer should submit. Ohio Department of Transportation Permit Application; Access Manual § 2.2.
3-OH-c.2 – Hold Preliminary Meeting (Optional)
The ODOT strongly recommends that developers seeking Commercial Access Permits for large, high volume developments (more than 60 trips in an hour) request a preliminary meeting with the appropriate ODOT personnel and/or local authorities. Access Manual §§ 2.2, App. A. This meeting allows ODOT and local authorities to examine the feasibility of the proposed access with the developer and to consider whether it is permissible under ODOT’s access standards. At the meeting, the developer should provide sufficient materials, such as preliminary maps, plans, and documents, to illustrate the site, the size and type of proposed land use, estimated traffic volumes and vehicle types generated by the site, adjacent public roads and highways, and any existing or available access points. ODOT may decide that a Traffic Analysis or Traffic Impact Study is warranted, and if so, will define its scope. Access Manual § 2.2.
This early discussion can expedite later review of the Permit Application. However, comments, suggestions, and recommendations made during the preliminary meeting are not binding upon the ODOT or local authorities in subsequent evaluation of the formal Permit Application or decisions about the issuance of a Permit. Access Manual § 2.2.
3-OH-c.3 – Department of Transportation Permit Application
The Commercial Access Permit and Utility Permit both require the developer to submit the same online Ohio Department of Transportation Permit Application (“Permit Application” or “Application”), however the developer must apply for each permit individually. The Application must be completed by the developer and no other party. There is no fee for the Permit, and no condition prescribed by the Permit may impose a fee for the privilege granted. Ohio Rev. Code Ann § 5515.01(F).
The ODOT only issues highway right-of-way permits for use on state and federal highways outside municipal corporations, excluding interstate highways. Municipalities issue highway right-of way permits for projects located on federal and state highway rights of ways within the municipality. However, the municipality must adopt policies, standards, and requirements that meet or exceed ODOT standards. Access Manual § 1.3; Utility Manual § 8102.02.
General Permit Application Requirements
The following information is required in the Permit Application:
- The distance, in feet, that the proposed work will be from the nearest intersection, including the distance north, south, east, and west;
- The side of the road that will be occupied by the proposed work will occupy;
- Staking must be included for all residential property, showing the exact location of the proposed access, as well as the property lines;
- Total width of through pavements, and if a divided highway, the width of the median and the location of any existing median crossovers;
- Width of the pavement and width from the edge of the pavement to the edge of the right-of-way line, keeping in mind that the edge of the right-of-way is usually the utility line. If there is no utility line present, the rule of thumb for the edge of the right-of-way is usually 31 feet from the centerline of the road;
- The proposed width of the new access, including the width and radii of any existing access, and the distances between the proposed access and any other access points in either direction;
- If there is not 495 feet of space between any existing drives and the proposed drive, the developer must submit a variance request. To submit a variance request, the developer may attach a letter to the Permit Application giving a justification for why the ODOT should permit the variance;
- Dimensions and type of construction of any proposed islands between approaches;
- Location and dimensions of proposed buildings and parking areas;
- Location and description of any existing and all proposed drainage structures within the highway right-of-way; and
- Location and type of all landscape items.
Ohio Department of Transportation Permit Application.
The permit may only be granted upon the following conditions:
- The use of the highway must be consistent with applicable federal laws and regulations.
- The ODOT must change the location of the right-of-way if such a change is necessary for the convenience of the traveling public, or in connection with or contemplation of the construction, reconstruction, improvement, relocating, maintenance, or repair of the highway.
- Objects placed on the highway must be at-grade and in accordance with plans or specifications approved by the ODOT.
- Upon completion of the work, the highway must be fully restored to its former condition of usefulness, at the expense of the developer.
- The developer must maintain all objects placed in the right-of-way in a proper manner and promptly repair all damages resulting from those objects. The developer must pay expenses incurred by the ODOT as a result of any failure to repair damage to the highway.
- Any other condition deemed reasonable by the ODOT.
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5515.01.
Commercial Access Permit Application:
The information and level of detail required for the Commercial Access Permit Application depends on the type and usage of the access requested. For requests that are not a variance, ODOT will normally approve the request. However, specific requirements may be assigned to the approval. Access Manual § 2.3.
Utility Permit Application:
The Application must include the following:
- County, Route, and Section of the highway location;
- Right-of-way plan or plan/profile sheet of the highway covering the utility request;
- If a construction project, the federal and state project numbers and PID number of the highway project;
- Permit plan information (see Utility Manual § 8103.02(B));
- Construction information (see Utility Manual § 8103.02(C));
- A Maintenance of Traffic Plan (see Utility Manual § 8102.05); and
- Bond protection information, if required (see Utility Manual § 8103.02(E)).
Additional information and conditions may be required for projects associated with bridges and culverts. For more information see Utility Manual §§ 8108, 8109.
3-OH-c.4 to 3-OH-c.6 – Does the Developer Request a Variance?
Applicants (developers) seeking a variance from the standards and requirements set out in the Ohio State Highway Access Management Manual must submit the request as an attachment to the Permit Application. Access Manual § 2.4. The request must specify, in writing, why the variance is appropriate and necessary, and must document the unique conditions or special circumstances that make it impractical and unfeasible for the applicant to meet the applicable standards and requirements. The request must also demonstrate that the applicant has considered all practical and reasonable alternatives to the variance. Access Manual § 2.4.
Variances are reviewed as detailed in the Access Manual § 2.4.
3-OH-c.7 – Appeal Decision (Optional)
If the developer disagrees with the denial of the variance request, the developer may appeal the decision, in writing, with the District Permit Coordinator (DPC) within 30 days of the notice of denial. The appeal must include reasons for the appeal and may include any changes, revisions, or conditions that would be acceptable to the developer. Access Manual § 2.5.
If the DPC still does not find the proposed changes acceptable, they will notify the Office of Roadway Engineering (ORE) of their decision. ORE will coordinate a meeting with the Central Office Appeals Committee and the DPC. The Central Office Appeals Committee will provide a decision within 45 days. Access Manual § 2.5.
If the variance request is denied, but the developer does not appeal the decision, the developer may resubmit the Permit Application without the variance request. Access Manual § 2.5.
3-OH-c.8 to 3-OH-c.10 – Review Application Materials for Completeness
The relevant ODOT District Office must review the Application for administrative and technical completeness and compliance with the respective manual and other applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Access Manual § 2.3; see Utility Manual § 8102.03.
If the Application is complete, the DPC marks the original Application and any copies of the Application with the date of acceptance. That date will be used in calculating the required time frame for review of the Permit Application by the ODOT. Access Manual § 2.3.
3-OH-c.11 – Review Application Materials for Approval Determination
Once complete, the ODOT reviews the Permit Application for final approval. Certain types of projects require secondary review by the ODOT Central Office.
Commercial Access Permit:
Commercial Access Permit Applications for projects on Category I highways require approval by ORE. Commercial Access Permit Applications for other highways do not require ORE review and are reviewed by the relevant ODOT District Office. However, the district offices have discretion to request concurrent ORE review. Access Manual §§ 2.4. The review of the Application must consider the proposed method and duration of construction and the effect on highway traffic. Access Manual § 2.4.
If the ODOT determines that the project will generate considerable traffic (greater than 200 trips per hour), the ODOT must require the completion of a Traffic Impact Study (“TIS”). Access Manual § 9.1.
Utility Permit:
The level of Utility Permit Application review depends on whether the highway is a Limited Access or Non-Limited Access highway. For example, for Limited Access Highways, the ODOT District Office reviews permits requesting longitudinal installations of 500 feet or less, while the ODOT Central Office reviews permits for longitudinal installations greater than 500 feet. Utility Manual § 8102.09. The ODOT District Office reviews all other applications, unless it determines that Central Office review is necessary.
3-OH-c.12 – Does the ODOT Approve the Permit Application?
If the ORE reviewed the Permit Application, ORE submits its comments and recommendations on the Application, and its approval or rejection to the ODOT District Office. Access Manual § 2.4; Utility Manual § 8102.09. For Utility Permits, when required, the Central Office also submits requests to the Federal Highway Administration for review and approval. Utility Manual § 8102.09. The ODOT District Deputy Director approves the request as proposed, requires design modification as appropriate and necessary, or denies the access request. Access Manual § 2.4; Utility Manual § 8102.04.
3-OH-c.13 – Department of Transportation Permit
The ODOT issues a Permit that is signed by the ODOT District Deputy Director once the Permit Application is approved. No changes, modifications, or revisions may be made to the location or design or to the conditions and terms of the approved Permit without the written approval of the District Deputy Director. Access Manual §§ 2.2; see Utility Manual § 8102.04.
Permits may be revoked at any time if the developer does not comply with the conditions imposed under the Permit. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5515.01(G).
The developer must contact the relevant County Manager 24 hours before starting any work and must maintain a copy of the Permit and approved plan(s) on the site at all times while work is being performed. Access Manual § 10.3.
The relevant ODOT District Office is responsible for inspecting construction to ensure compliance to any conditions of the Permit and maintaining records of all Applications and Permits. Access Manual § 10.3; Utility Manual § 8102.03.
3-OH-c.14 – Appeal Decision (Optional)
Commercial Access Permit:
The developer may appeal ODOT’s denial of a Commercial Access Permit in writing within 30 days of receiving the notice of denial. The request is typically reviewed by ODOT’s Assistance Director of Transportation Policy/Chief Engineer, Assistant Director of Operations, and Deputy Director of the Division of Engineering. Access Manual § 2.2.
Utility Permit:
The ODOT Chief Engineer makes the final decision through a case-by-case basis for all Appeals regarding Utility Permits denials.
Agencies
Contact Information
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References
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Ohio Department of Transportation
Utility & Railroad Program Manager
(614) 466-2279