Permits for Street and Sidewalk Work

Street Permits

A street permit is needed when a property owner or their contractor plans to...

1. Construct, remove, replace or repair a sidewalk or driveway within the limits of any public street, highway or other public property.
2. Open or cause to be opened, by cutting or excavating, the pavement or soil of any street, highway, sidewalk area or other public grounds.
3. Obstruct, encumber or occupy in any manner any public street, highway or sidewalk area, except for parades or public gatherings and assemblages permitted by the Ithaca Police Department.

[Amended 5-4-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-08]

Directions for Applying for a Permit to Work on City of Ithaca Property

1. Fill out a Street Permit Application form (or in the Engineering Office). At a minimum, list your name and phone number so a City staff member can get back in touch with you.
2. Be prepared to supply all necessary paperwork every time you apply for a Street Permit, including, but not necessarily limited to:

• Contractor’s Insurance (naming City of Ithaca as additionally insured) or Property Insurance (for owners performing work on their own property)
• Certificate of Worker’s Compensation Insurance or Waiver
• Certificate of Disability Benefits Insurance or Waiver
• A sketch, plan and/or written description of the work you plan to perform

Depending on the nature of the work, the sketch or plan might need to be stamped by a professional engineer.

Even if you have previously provided insurance information for an active building or water and sewer permit, you will need to supply the Engineering Office with your insurance information separately.

3. Discuss the work you wish to do with an Engineering Office staff member. The general office phone number is 274-6530. Depending on the type of work being considered, other permits and/or approvals may be required, such as a Building Permit or Tree Permit. The applicant is responsible for securing all of the relevant permits and/or approvals.

Once the above actions have occurred, Engineering Office staff will evaluate the application and will determine if further information or changes are necessary before a Street Permit can be issued. Engineering Office staff may make site visits, may need to coordinate with other City departments, or perform other work. Applicants should expect that applications may take over a week to process, complex applications may take substantially longer.

When all of the items above are satisfied, an Engineering Office staff member will notify the applicant via phone or email to discuss the permit requirements. The applicant will receive the physical (green) Street permit via email from Lynne Yost. When the permit application is complete, the applicant will be billed for the Street Permit & any other applicable fees.

Finally, the green Street Permit card must be posted prominently at the work site and the work must be performed in accordance with the permit requirements.


• Street Permit Application

All work must comply with the standards listed below. Any exceptions may require a stamped drawing and/or statement from a licensed engineer explaining why it is technically infeasible to meet the standards.

• NYSDOT Standard Specifications (US Customary Units)
• Sidewalk Tree and Lawn and Granite Curb
• Concrete Sidewalk and Granite Curb
• All Standard Drawings

Below are links to some of the most commonly referenced drawings and specifications for street permits:

• Typical Ithaca Sidewalk Specifications
• Sidewalks, Curb Ramps, & Driveway Standards from NYSDOT
• Traffic Control and Sidewalk Diversion Templates from NYSDOT
• Cold Weather Curing Selection from Standard Specifications