Driveway & Right-of-Way Utilization Permit in Pinellas County
Any private project in county right-of-way or publicly dedicated easements, such as a new or replacement driveway apron, sidewalk, sewer or water connection, or temporary access, requires a Right-of-Way Utilization Permit from Pinellas County. Applications go through the Pinellas County Access Portal with the two-page Utilization Permit application and a survey/plan of the work area. Public Works must be notified at least 48 hours before work begins at (727) 464-3670 or the permit is voided.
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Who needs this
Property owners and contractors doing private work within county right-of-way or public easements in unincorporated Pinellas County: new, replacement, or extended driveways, sidewalks, sewer or water connections, and temporary access. Note that a new, replacement, or extended driveway also requires a zoning clearance and a habitat/tree/environmental permit in addition to the right-of-way permit.
Steps
- 1
Prepare the application and plan
Complete both pages of the Utilization Permit Application and prepare a plan/survey showing right-of-way lines and widths, offset from centerline, project scope with distances and sizes, a typical cross section (pavement width, right-of-way width each side, sidewalks/curbs/gutters), installation type, and drainage information. Improvements must conform to FDOT requirements and/or Pinellas County subdivision requirements.
pinellas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rowuseapp.pdf - 2
Apply through the Pinellas County Access Portal
Create or log into a Pinellas County Access Portal account, click Development, then Create an Application, accept the terms, and choose Right of Way under Development Review Services. Upload the completed form and survey. Questions: (727) 464-3888, [email protected].
aca-prod.accela.com/PINELLAS/Default.aspx - 3
Pay the processing fee and provide insurance
A variable processing fee must be received before the permit is issued (checks payable to Board of County Commissioners). Before approval, the permittee must deliver proof of insurance as determined by Pinellas County Risk Management, per Pinellas County Land Development Code Sec. 154-303 (Insurance and sureties).
pinellas.gov/right-of-way-utilization-permit-application/ - 4
Schedule and perform the work
Notify Public Works at least 48 hours before starting work at (727) 464-3670 or the permit is voided, and call Sunshine 811 (1-800-432-4770) two full business days before construction. Construction must commence within 60 days of the permit date. Disturbed right-of-way must be restored (compacted, grassed and mulched or sodded), and damage to county property must be repaired within 7 days.
pinellas.gov/services/apply-for-a-right-of-way-utilization-p
Requirements
- Work in county right-of-way or public easement must not obstruct or endanger the traveling public or interfere with prior occupants' rights
- Work per FDOT standards (Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards, Standard Specifications), AASHTO, and county direction; compaction to Pinellas County minimum standards
- Variable processing fee paid before issuance
- Proof of insurance as determined by Pinellas County Risk Management (Land Development Code Sec. 154-303)
- 48-hour advance notice to Public Works at (727) 464-3670 before starting work
- Sunshine 811 utility locate notification two full business days before construction
- Commence construction within 60 days of permit issuance; survey/as-built of installed facilities if field adjustments are made
- For driveways: zoning clearance and habitat/tree/environmental permit also required for new, replacement, or extended driveways
Documents
- Utilization Permit Application (both pages, signed)
- Survey/plan of the work area showing right-of-way lines, offsets, cross section, and drainage data
- Proof of insurance per Land Development Code Sec. 154-303
- Utility countersignature for water and sewer line applications (separate application per utility)
Fees
Previous fiscal-year fee amounts are shown below for a rough cost reference. They are not current quotes or guaranteed estimates, and actual fees may have changed. Confirm today's charge with the issuing building department or official payment portal.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Right-of-Way Utilization Permit processing fee | $52 residential driveway/water/sewer/drainage connection; $345 standard commercial driveway; $86 to modify or extend an existing permit (after-the-fact doubles the fee)Historical FY26 rate. Current permit fee not verified. | Historical FY26 rate. Current permit fee not verified. This earlier amount is shown for ballpark context, not as today's payable charge. FY26 Adopted User Fees Schedule, effective Oct 1 2025 (accessed 2026-09-01). FY27 is proposed, not yet effective. NOTE: the county's public Building/Transportation/Zoning Fees page still links the superseded FY25 schedule. This amount is unchanged from FY25.Historical source |
Good to know
The permit is permissive only: it vests no property rights, and the county can terminate on 30 days' notice; if the road is widened or reconstructed, the permittee moves or removes the installation at their own cost. Skipping the 48-hour Public Works notification at (727) 464-3670 voids the permit. A driveway project usually stacks three approvals: zoning clearance, habitat/tree/environmental permit, and the right-of-way permit. Underground crossings must be at least 36 inches below pavement, and mail/drop-off submittal (440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756) is reserved for protected properties or supervisor-directed cases.