General Permits
The General Permit (GP) allows infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and new installations on City of Austin-owned property, within the existing right-of-way (ROW), existing public easements dedicated to the City of Austin, or City-owned land. Austin Development Services oversees the General Permit Program, but these projects do not traditionally qualify as development.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
The following entities are eligible for an Annual General Permit:
- City of Austin departments
- Franchised Utility providers
- Other entities with COA partnership agreements that grant access for use of the right-of-way (i.e., CapMetro, Greater Austin Area Telecommunication Network, Austin Transit Partnership)
All applicants must be current on their annual participation fee.
Eligible Projects
The GP Program applies only to projects that do not meet the definition of development, and such projects fall outside the scope of review.
Projects must meet all the following criteria:
- Entire limits of construction are contained within the existing right-of-way (ROW), existing public easements, or City-owned land
- No net increase in impervious cover
- Repair, maintenance, or installation of a utility, drainage, or street system
Apply for a General Permit License
A fee is required to participate in this program.
Instead of the traditional review, projects under the Annual General Permit are self-certified for compliance. If the Annual General Permit holder violates the General Permit Program Policy, their permit may be revoked.
Each participating department or utility must designate an Executive of Record. They are the primary point of contact and are responsible for ensuring all permits and coordination steps are completed before construction begins.
For more information on requirements and qualifications, read the General Permit Program Policy (PDF).
Project Requirements
General Permit License holders must still obtain project-specific reviews and approvals, as applicable, when the project triggers the criteria. See the following webpages for the specific criteria:
- Austin Utility Location and Coordination Committee (AULCC)
- Right-of-Way permits like Excavation (EX), Temporary Use of the Right-of-Way (TURP), and Driveway/Sidewalk (DS)
- Submit a Site Plan Exemption or Standalone Tree Permit for Protected and Heritage Tree impacts or removal. The application should clearly indicate that the scope of work falls under the General Permit Policy, and the application is for tree review only. Use the table on page 3 of the General Permit Program Policy (PDF) to determine the appropriate permitting path for tree impacts.
Inspections
City-funded projects are inspected by Capital Delivery Services through existing service agreements. All other projects are inspected by Austin Development Services Right-of-Way (ROW) inspection teams.