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RIGHT-OF-WAY USE APPLICATION & PERMIT
Overview
All activities performed in the City’s Right-of-Way require a permit issued by the Public Works Engineering department, as per Bainbridge Island Municipal Code (BIMC) Chapter 15.12.
Right-of-Way is defined as “all public streets and property granted or reserved for, or dedicated to, public use for streets, walkways, sidewalks, bikeways, parking, and horse trails, whether improved or unimproved, including the air rights, subsurface rights, and related easements." (Bainbridge Island Municipal Code 15.12.040P).
Permit application requirements
- Right-of-Way Use Application & Permit / Traffic Impact Form: Completed by the contractor who will be performing the proposed work in the ROW. *For ROW permits required for Special Events, the Applicant may be the organization hosting the event.
- Site Plan: Working scale drawing showing the location of work, name and width of streets, as well as the relative position of proposed work to existing utilities
- Traffic Control Plan: WSDOT: Work zone typical traffic control plans
- Certificate of Liability Insurance/ACORD Form: Proof of insurance in the amount required by Bainbridge Island Municipal Code 15.12.230A
- Surety Bond: Required if the cost estimate of work in the Right-of-Way exceeds $2,000. The ROW Restoration Performance bond must be for 125% of the cost estimate. (Bainbridge Island Municipal Code 15.12.220A)
- Proof of Payment: See the directions below for payment options
Email all required documents to ROWPermit@bainbridgewa.gov
Review and Approval: Complete application packets are typically reviewed within 10 working days, which will be confirmed through an email. ROW permits are valid for six months from the date of approval and must be issued before expiration.
Issuance: Once the permit is approved, the Applicant has six months to request Issuance, which is the 30-day period in which the work and restoration is started and completed. One extension of 30 days is available upon request.
Inspections: Upon completion of the permitted work, the Applicant will notify the Public Works department so restoration of the Right-of-Way can be inspected. A final inspection will be performed one year later to ensure that all restoration work has held up. Once the final inspection has been approved, the Restoration Performance bond will be exonerated.
- In person: Come to City Hall at 280 Madison Avenue N and pay with cash, check or credit card*
- Phone: Call the COBI reception desk at 206.780.8591 and pay with a credit card* over the phone
- Online: Go to https://paygov.us/ to pay with a credit card*
- Select "Make a Payment" in the top right corner of the page
- Select State (WA) and Jurisdiction (City of Bainbridge Island) and Transaction (Right-of-Way Permit)
- Click on Make a Payment
- For ROW Type, select the applicable type for the permit:- SHORTTERM USE (Type A - Temporary street and / or sidewalk closure or blockage)
- STD DISTURBANCE (Type B1 - Disturbance of the surface or the subsurface of the right-of-way on a temporary or permanent basis)
- BULK UTIL PERM (Type B2b - Franchised utility companies only)
- ANN FANCH UTIL PEREM (Type D - Franchised utilities only)
- LONG TERM USE (Type C - Long-term right-of-way use for activities that will not further physically disturb the right-of-way once in place)
- SIDEWALK CAFE
- Find the current fee on the City of Bainbridge Island 2025 Fee Schedule - Page 42
*Please note that all credit card payments will be assessed a 3% convenience fee on all credit / debit card transactions