Utility Right of Way FAQs

How do I request to temporarily close a street/lane/sidewalk for construction purposes?

Any work within the City’s right-of-way that requires closure of a sidewalk or travel lane must be approved by CDOT and will require a Right-of-Way Use Permit or Right-of-Way Lease depending upon the length of the closure. These approvals are in addition to site approvals and should be coordinated with CDOT prior to construction.  The contractor shall contact CDOT Construction Supervisor at 980.722.4563 or ROWUsePermit@charlottenc.gov at least 5 business days prior to beginning work for impacts less than 30 days.  The contractor shall contact Utility Permitting at LeasingAgreement@charlottenc.gov as soon as possible for impacts greater than 30 days.  Every effort shall be made to construct improvements with minimal impact on drivers and pedestrians.

 

Can I close the alley behind my house and use the property?

Alleyways are typically dedicated to the City for acceptance by the original developer who subdivided the lots and recorded the original subdivision plat at the Register of Deeds Office.  However, the City may not have officially accepted these offers of dedications.  Meaning the alleyways are ingress and egress easements to the City, the public and abutting property owners.  Never the less, ownership of these areas only belong to the abutting owners when it is clearly shown on the original property deed or survey.

This does not mean that ownership of these areas belong to the abutting owners.  The only time it belongs to the abutting owners is when it is clearly shown on the original property deed or survey.  In most cases, it does not and the alleyways are shown on the recorded subdivision plats as being separate from the private parcel property lines.

The only way to permanently close any dedicated right-of-way including an alleyway is through the City right-of-way abandonment process.

Never the less, the only time the ownership of these areas belong to the abutting owners are when it is clearly shown on the original property deed or survey.

 

Will a driveway permit be required for my commercial project?

Commercial projects typically require at least one driveway entrance to a public street. Additional information regarding the process and permit requirements can be found under the driveway permits section of the Commercial Plan Review Process.

 

Who can I talk to about abandoning a street?

For more information about the City's Right-of-Way Abandonment process, please visit webpage Right-of-Way Abandonment

 

What type of street and/or sidewalk projects are construction crews doing in my neighborhood and who is managing the project?

If there are City of Charlotte vehicles and equipment, it could be one of several types of City projects. Information about the various City projects, including project descriptions and contact information is available by clicking on the following links:

 

Why are construction crews digging on my property?

If there are City of Charlotte vehicles and equipment, it could be one of several types of City projects. Information about the various City projects, including project descriptions and contact information is available by clicking on the following links:

 

Do I need a permit to build or alter a residential driveway?

Citizen inquiries about residential driveways including adding new driveways to existing City or State maintained streets or modifications to existing driveway aprons are handled by CDOT Customer Service.  Please contact Kayla Losh in CDOT Public Services at 704.336.8325 with related questions.

 

How do I get the sidewalk in front of my house repaired?

CDOT inspects sidewalks and repairs unsafe conditions to sidewalks.  For additional information or to report an unsafe sidewalk, go to the CharMeck 311 request page and select the sidewalk repair form.

 

Is a permit required for clearing land near my property? For example grading, timbering, construction, subdivisions, roads, etc.

City of Charlotte Land Development reviews plans for commercial and subdivision development located within the City of Charlotte. A grading permit is required if more than one acre of land is disturbed during construction.

 

How do I find out what is being built?

City of Charlotte Land Development reviews plans for commercial and subdivision development located within the City of Charlotte.  The City’s Engineering and Property Management and Transportation Departments also oversee a variety of neighborhood, bond sidewalk and transportation projects. To search commercial development projects as well as City projects.

 

How do I get my Basketball Goal back?

Call 704.336.3200 and schedule a time to retrieve your goal from the Northwest District Office.  Basketball goals onsite longer than 30 days will be disposed of.

 

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