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Utility Maintenance & Construction Policy
Any excavation, construction, or installation for utilities within public rights-of-way and that are not associated with a site development requires a  Right-of-Way Permit from the City of Knoxville Civil Engineering Department. Permits are classified as either Construction Permits or Maintenance Permits.  

For additional information, assistance or to submit your completed Right-of-Way Construction Permit application:

[email protected] 


Requirements

All utility cut repairs must comply with:
Construction Notes 
COK-12 (Standard Detail for Trench Cut Repairs).
City of Knoxville Technical Specifications

  Applicable Specification Sections
Section 5.0 Mineral Aggregate Base
Section 7.0 Tack Coat
Section 9.0 Bituminous Plant Mix Base
Section 10.0 Asphaltic Concrete Surface
Section 11.0 Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (Plain)
Section 12.0 Concrete Curb, Gutter, and Combined Curb & Gutter
Section 13.0 Concrete Sidewalks, Driveways, and Median Strip
Section 15.0 Concrete
Section 31.0 Temporary Water Pollution Control
Section 34.0 Construction Area Traffic Control

Street lighting and wiring improvements within the Central Business District (CBD) must:
- Be installed underground
- Comply with applicable CBD Provisions

The Knoxville City Code contains additional regulations and requirements for excavation within Chapter 23, as summarized in the table below. For more information, please see the Land Development Manual for the complete text of Chapter 23, or access all of the Knoxville City Code. 


Key Regulations and Requirements for Excavation
Section 23-71 Permit required; emergency exception.
Section 23-72 Permit cancellation.
Section 23-73 Revocation of permit.
Section 23-74 Bond; certificate of insurance.
Section 23-75 Inspections; fees.
Section 23-76 Responsibility for repair of street, sidewalk, or right-of-way.
Section 23-77 Supervision of work.
Section 23-78 Public safety and traffic control.
Section 23-79 Use of sheeting and braces.
Section 23-80 Work in public right-of-way.
Section 23-81 Utility connections to be installed prior to paving the street.
Section 23-82 Protective barriers for work in sidewalks or right-of-way
Section 23-83 Annual maintenance permit.

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