Installations in rights-of-way.

Tampa City Code § 22-60

in effect

Sec. 22-60. - Installations in rights-of-way. (a) It is unlawful for any person, public or private utility or any other governmental agency or contractor to excavate, dig, blast or tunnel or to place, construct or install any facilities, structures and objects such as utility lines, telecommunication cables, culverts, etc., within any public street, alley or other rights-of-way in the city unless application shall first be made to and a written permit obtained from the city, except under the following conditions: (1) Installation of trees or shrubbery which will not grow to a diameter in excess of twenty-four (24) inches when installed by public or private utility work crews, provided that said installations meet minimum state and federal design standards, related to roadside recovery areas, minimum site triangles and the Americans with Disability Act requirements, including amendments thereto, as said standards and requirements are adopted herein; (2) Installation of gas, water, sewer, electric or telephone service connection lines, not including underground main feeder lines parallel to the street, when installed by public or private utility work crews which are subject to all conditions specified in this Code. (b) It is unlawful for any person, public or private utility or any other governmental agency or contractor working for the same to excavate, dig, blast or tunnel or to place, construct, repair or install any driveway, curb sidewalk or culvert within any public street, alley or other rights-of-way in the city, unless application shall first be made and a written permit obtained in advance of beginning work. (c) It is unlawful for any person, public or private utility or any other governmental agency or any contractor working for the same to excavate, dig, blast or tunnel for the purpose of repairs or maintenance of any existing facilities within any public street, alley or other rights-of-way in the city, unless application shall first be made and a permit for the repairs or maintenance obtained in advance of beginning work; provided, however, there is hereby excepted from this requirement public or private utility work crews which are subject to all conditions specified in this chapter when accomplishing the following work: (1) Removal, replacement or relocation of trees; (2) Repair, cleaning or replacement of gas, water, sewer, electric or telephone service connection lines, not including underground main feeder lines parallel to the street; (3) Raising manhole covers in conjunction with street resurfacing; (4) Trouble-shooting for leaks, gas, water, sewer, storm sewer, pressurized telephone and electric lines in the unimproved (no traffic or sidewalk) rights-of-way. (d) The applicant for a permit shall determine all potential utility conflicts during the design stage and shall show same on the plan and profile drawings submitted with the application. The plan and profile drawings shall be in accordance with utility plan guidelines or as specified by the city. (e) If it is determined that such work or activity within any street, alley or other rights-of-way will not unreasonably interfere with the rights of the public or city, the city may issue a permit for such construction work or activity, upon such reasonable conditions as the city deems necessary for the protection of the rights of the public and the city. (f) Under all conditions prescribed in this section, the construction shall not proceed unless the statewide one-call toll-free telephone notification system or such other method established under the Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, as now or hereafter amended, is notified not less than forty-eight (48) hours nor more than five (5) days in advance of beginning construction. Advance notification is waived when it is documented to the city transportation engineer of the PDD department that the excavation work is of an emergency nature involving the public health, safety or welfare. (g) All applicants shall give the full name and address of the person or organization making such application, shall designate the place, extent, nature and purpose of such work or activity and, if any paving, curbing, sidewalk, sewer or water main will be disturbed by such work, the city transportation engineer of the PDD department may require that the application be accompanied by a deposit of money in such amount as shall in the opinion of the city transportation engineer of the PDD department be sufficient to pay for the expense of repairing or restoring the same. Pavement replacement shall be in accordance with the conditions set forth in the permit and other standards of the city. Failure or neglect on the part of the applicant to carry out all work in compliance with the conditions set forth in the permit and other standards of the city shall be reason for revocation of the permit. (h) All applicants shall restore the rights-of-way to its previous condition. (i) All applicants shall verify the location and elevation of all underground facilities and shall protect said facilities from damage; in the event that any facilities are damaged, the applicant or applicants shall, at their sole expense, repair or cause to be repaired the damaged facilities to the satisfaction of the owner or operator of said facilities. (Ord. No. 89-244, § 2(34-65), 9-28-89; Ord. No. 93-178, § 1, 11-18-93; Ord. No. 97-155, §§ 1, 2, 7-24-97; Ord. No. 2017-150, § 7, 10-26-2017)

Source: City of Tampa, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/tampa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH22STSI_ARTIADPR_DIV3FEAUTYPEIN_SDIGE_S22-60INRI-WFetched: 10/28/2026