Utility or Service Cut Permit

A Utility/Service Cut permit is required for cutting and digging within the public right-of-way as defined by the City of New Orleans Code Sections 146-436 et seq. Depending on the details of your work, you may need other permits to comply with all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and statutes of the City.

Fees

  • $40 application fee plus:
    • Cuts in Streets with Concrete Foundations: 1st year $1.20 per square foot during the first year of street maintenance
    • Cuts in Streets with Concrete Foundations: 2nd year $1.00 per square foot during the second year of street maintenance 
    • Cuts in Streets with Concrete Foundations: 3rd year $0.90 per square foot during the third year of street maintenance 
    • Street Maintenance: Cuts in Streets with Concrete Foundations - 4th year $0.70 per square foot during the fourth year of street maintenance 
    • Street Maintenance: Cuts in Streets with Concrete Foundations - 5th year $0.60 per square foot during the fifth year of street maintenance

Process

Before beginning any work, download and review in detail the Department of Public Works Permit Process GuideAll forms indicated in the steps below are included in the Guide.

  1. Field Discovery – Explore the area to be cut to determine if other facilities (for example: trees, cable, drainage) are in the area. Use Form SD 200 to assess this.
  2. Agency Discovery and Review – Complete drawings of the area to be cut. Please refer to form SD 200 to determine which agencies you need to visit with your drawings.
  3. Scale drawings – Applicant prepares scale drawings, including all other facilities present in the proposed area to be cut. You must present two (2) copies of the scaled drawings to the Department of Public Works – Maintenance Division
  4. Preparation of Application – Applicant prepares application for service cuts (SD 100) and attaches scale drawings, pre-permit discovery and review (SD 200) and Covenant for Plan Review (SD 300). Application then needs to be reviewed by:
    • Sewerage and Water-Drainage/Electric: 8800 S. Claiborne Ave. 
    • Department of Public Works – Traffic and Street Project Manager: 1300 Perdido St., 6W03 
    • Department of Public Works – Maintenance Division: 838 S. Genois St., 2nd Fl. Step
  5. Apply for Permit – Bring all documents with relevant approvals (no incomplete applications will be reviewed) to the Department of Public Works – Maintenance Division - 1300 Poydras St., Rm 6W03
    • Application (SD 100)
    • Pre-permit discovery and review memo (SD 200)
    • Covenant for Plan Review (SD 300)
    • Two (2) copies of drawings to scale
  6. Post Approval – Upon approval, a copy of the permit and scale drawing will be forwarded to applicable agencies and utilities. Please visit the Public Works Permit Process Guide for more details and special provisions.
Service provided by

Traffic Division

(504) 658-8040 Email
1300 Perdido Street 6W03 New Orleans, LA 70112

The Traffic Division manages the City's traffic engineering functions by maintaining and replacing pavement markings, and maintaining, replacing, installing and repairing street signs (name and directional) and traffic signals. This division is responsible for issuing street closure permits and other related permits.