Highway Use Permit (Right-of-Way) – Procedure

Obtain a permit by:
Request by email: [email protected]
Visit website: permits
https://www.loraincountyengineer.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Highway-Use-Permit.pdf
A Highway Use Permit shall be required when doing any utility work within the limits of the road right-of-way of any county or township road.
Placing buried cable within the road right-of-way.
The utility shall be placed in a three (3) foot wide corridor adjacent to the right-of-way.
a) If the installation can not be made in the three (3) foot corridor, a field review will be done, before the permit is issued to determine if any deviation will be permitted.
Placing any pipe or conduit within the road right-of-way for the transmission of water, gas, etc.
Pipe or conduit for the transmission of gas, water or other liquids shall be placed in a three (3) foot wide corridor adjacent to the right-of-way line.
a) Any deviation from this must have prior approval from the County Engineer.
Installing any pipe or conduit under the roadway by boring or open cut.
The primary means of road crossing shall be by boring under the road and placing a casing or conduit. The utility will then be placed inside the casing.
Open cuts are to be an option only when:
a) Two (2) or more unsuccessful attempts to bore have been made and unfavorable soil conditions have been determined.
The decision to allow an open cut shall be made by the County Engineer.
a) Bores and open cuts shall be a minimum of three (3) feet from the top of the casing to the roadway surface.
b) Method of backfill of open trenches, crossing roads, shall be determined by the County Engineer.
Replacing or placing new utility poles within the right-of-way.
Placement of five (5) or more new poles or replacing five (5) or more poles, on any road, shall require a permit. These do not have to be consecutive poles.
a) Poles shall not be more than three (3) feet from the right-of-way line.
b) Old poles shall be removed on their entirety.

All permit applications shall be accompanied by a plan sheet (s).
All plans shall include the following:

a) A distance from the edge of pavement (E/P) to the utility.
b) Distance to the right-of-way line (R/W).
c) Distance from E/P or centerline to all utilities.
d) Location of any proposed bore pits, minimum distance from E/P not to be less than the (10) feet.
e) Show suitable landmarks, side roads, house numbers, etc.
f) Show existing physical conditions, such as bridges, culverts, trees, signs, etc.
g) Depth of proposed buried utility.

ANY DEVIATION FROM THAT OF THE APPROVED PERMIT SHALL REQUIRE APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER, OF ANY MODITICATIONS, BEFORE WORK IS STARTED.

WORK DONE BEFORE A PERMIT IS ISSUED MAY BE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL AND RECONSTRUCTION, AT THE EPENSE OF THE UTILITY. AS DETERMINED BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER.

In new subdivisions, construct and complete all underground sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water lines, gas mains, electric and telecommunications conduits and service laterals or connections before the roadway paving operations begin. Provide sleeves under the pavement in advance as necessary. Boring, jacking, augering, and directional drilling methods of installation after the commencement of preparation of the subgrade shall be permitted only with the prior approval of the County Engineer. Open cutting of new pavements is prohibited.