Digging/Excavation Permits
Digging/Excavation in the City’s right-of-way, New Regulations and Permit Application
As of March 15, 2021, the Excavation Permit Regulations have been updated. Those of you that are familiar with our dig permit will recall that the first few pages of the permit application included our requirements and regulations. We have separated the requirements for excavating in the City right-of-way into a stand-alone document which now includes information about standards, traffic control, emergency excavations, and much more. The regulations are similar to what other cities and towns provide to applicants. The permit application is now a two-page document that asks for all the same information (name, location, Dig Safe number, etc.) and asks for a sketch of the work area.
Top Five Regulation Highlights
1. Excavation Permit application must be submitted FOUR (4) WORKING DAYS prior to the proposed excavation.
2. Inspection fee is $125 per permit application. The street damage fee is $5.00/square foot and the infrastructure damage fee is $2.50/square foot; a factor of 2 or 3 is applied for streets less than 5 years old or less than 2 years old, respectively
3. A certificate of insurance is required naming the City of Laconia as additional insured
4. A security deposit and/or bond may be required
5. Asphalt mix types and asphalt liquid content are updated
You will also find that we have updated our trench patching and paving details. See Standard Details.
As of December 1st, the permit fees for Digging/Excavation in the City’s right-of-way have increased.
The Administrative/Inspection Fee has gone from $75 to $125.
The City has also instituted a street damage charge. This charge is assessed at $5.00 per square foot of excavation occurring within the paved portions of the public right-of-way or on City property. An infrastructure damage charge of $2.50 per square foot of excavation will be charged for excavation occurring within the unpaved sidewalk areas of the public right-of-way or on unpaved portions of City property.
Streets that have been paved within the last five years are considered under moratorium and work on these streets is permissible only under certain circumstances. If an excavation occurs in a street where the pavement is less than 2 years old, the street damage charge is multiplied by three (3). If an excavation occurs in a street where the pavement is 2 years to 5 years old, the street damage charge is multiplied by two (2).
Pedestrian Safety
Throughout the duration of the project, the sidewalks must allow safe passage for pedestrians--including those with mobility limitations and vision disabilities. For helpful guidelines, see Pedestrian Accommodation in Work Zones. If this is not feasible, in addition to the excavation permit, you will need an approved Sidewalk Encumbrance Permit.
Applications for a Permit
To apply, download the application, fill it out and use the "submit" button OR print the application and email a completed copy to publicworks@laconianh.gov .
Apply for a Utility Mark Out - (used for digging in private property and in the State of NH right-of-way)
Apply for an Excavation Permit - (used for digging in the City of Laconia right-of-way)
If you have questions, contact the Department of Public Works at 528-6379 or read the ordinance update.