Permits
Permitting Process
The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) requires permits for all work within its right-of-way. This page will provide you step-by-step information on how to obtain a permit to work within MCDOT right-of-way.
Permit Reasons
Common reasons to obtain a permit include:
- Building a driveway, sidewalk, curb or gutter
- Placing water, gas or sewer pipelines
- Installing irrigation
- Structures, such as signs, mailboxes, fences
- Landscaping
- Special events
- Small Cell Site (Download PDF), email PDF to dotwirelesspermits@maricopa.gov
- Solar License (Download PDF), email PDF to MCDOTsolarlicense@maricopa.gov
MCDOT accepts the following for payment of fees:
- Major Credit Cards
- Checks
- Money Orders
- Cash
Step 1. Plan Review & Approval
MCDOT must review and approve all plans prior to issuing a permit for work within County right-of-way. This will help ensure that new improvements will be built to County Standards and observe safety guidelines. Please follow the steps below to submit your plans for review and approval.
- Fill out the Permit Application (PDF). The permit application serves as the legal contract between you and MCDOT and designates whether the permit is for residential or non-residential work.
- Determine Applicable Category of Traffic Impact Study Required. See MCDOT’s Traffic Impact Study Manual for guidance. *Please note – Most improvements require an approved Traffic Impact Study prior to first review of improvement plans.
- For new roadway (PDF), utility (PDF) or landscaping (PDF) improvements, fill out the pre-submittal checklist. The pre-submittal checklist provides a checklist of elements that are required on the sealed plans.
- Submit these forms to MCDOT either online at mcdotpermits@maricopa.gov or in person at 2901 West Durango Street, Phoenix for review. If submitting in person, 3 copies are required. MCDOT's business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- MCDOT will review your documents and provide you with comments or requested changes to your plans. All submittals are reviewed in the order they are received. Target plan review turnaround times are 20 business days. Projects that overlap MCDOT Transportation Improvement Projects (TIP) may require additional time for detailed coordination. See Step 3 for review fees.
- Please make changes to your sealed plans and resubmit all documents to MCDOT for review. Follow steps 1 - 7 until sealed plans are approved.
MCDOT will review your plans, details or location sheets and provide you with any requested changes.
Step 2. Permit Application & Issuance
MCDOT will issue a permit for work within County right-of-way once the applicant's plan submittal is approved. Permits may be issued to contractors, utility companies, government agencies and resident owners of residential property and are non-transferable.
Step 3. Fee Payment
Permit fees include both a plan review fee and a permit fee. The permit fee is 3% of the approved engineer's cost estimate plus a processing fee.
MCDOT's Fee Schedule
| Type of Review |
Fee |
| Construction Plans | |
| First Review | $100 per sheet |
| Second and subsequent reviews | $50 per sheet |
| Traffic Control Plan Review | $30 each review |
| Home Owner Improvement (Own Frontage) | No charge |
| Municipalities with reciprocal agreement | No charge |
| Development Proposals | |
| Zoning Cases | $250 each |
| Development Master Plan Review (DPM) | $500 each |
| Subdivision Plats | $100 each |
| Existing right-of-way Abandonment | $250 each |
| Future right-of-way Waivers | $75 each |
Details
- Permit processing fee shall be $50 per permit
- Early pavement cut fee shall be $20 per linear foot
Step 4. Insurance
Liability insurance is required on most projects and must remain in effect throughout the life of the permit. The following projects do not require insurance.:
- Public/Private Utility Companies authorized to have facilities within the right-of-way
- Municipalities with a reciprocal agreement or IGA
- MCDOT contracted project (TIP or Operations Division)
- Homeowner doing the work themselves to improve their own frontage
Lapse in Insurance
Permits will be terminated if liability insurance coverage lapses. A standard accord form should be provided to MCDOT and must meet the following conditions:
- Maricopa County is listed as certificate holder
- Maricopa County is listed as additional insured
- Minimum coverage must be:
- $1,000,000 for death of, or injury to, any one person in any one accident
- $2,000,000 for death of, or injuries to, more than one person in any one accident.
- $1,000,000 for damages to property
- The insurance carrier must be authorized to do business in the State of Arizona
Step 5. Performance Bonds
A performance bond is required to provide financial assurance to Maricopa County that the proposed work will be performed and completed in accordance with the permit and Count standards and before the permit expires. It also ensures the work site is restored to the condition stipulated on the permit and/or approved plans. Except for a cash bond, all other forms of assurance (bonds) must be pre-approved by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office prior to permit issuance. Approval can take up to two working days.
Download the Performance Bond template
Additional Permit Documents
- My plans were reviewed and approved by MCDOT. How long is the approval valid?
- I will be working on utilities or other facilities owned by another entity or jurisdiction? Does that entity need to review my plans?
- Do I need to contact the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) if I intend to work on a water or sewer line?
- I received my permit, when can I begin work?
- My work is completed. Do I need to let MCDOT know?
- How are permit fees determined?
- My plans were reviewed and approved by MCDOT. How long is the approval valid?
- I will be working on utilities or other facilities owned by another entity or jurisdiction? Does that entity need to review my plans?
- Do I need to contact the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) if I intend to work on a water or sewer line?