Construction permits & approvals

Get a permit to dig a public road or footpath

A road opening application is required before you dig within a public roadway and footpath.

At least $126
Construction

Project Status: When you need to do this

Anyone who needs to dig within a public roadway and footpath can apply for a road opening permit, including home owners or trades people.

What you need to do

  1. Fill in the road opening application

    2. All parts are mandatory. If additional information is required we'll contact you. 

  1. Lodge the form by email or in person

    Your application needs to be lodged with a minimum of 48 hours prior to the proposed date of works, i.e. 2 working days prior to the works excluding weekends and public holidays.

Road opening application

A road opening includes:

  • any type of intrusive digging into a road or footpath for utility service works
  • stormwater or sewer connection works and repairs
  • permanent driveways for residential properties or temporary driveways for construction vehicle access
  • any works involving City of Sydney approved public domain upgrading of footpaths, roads and kerbs and gutters associated with a development site.

This application form isn't used for: 

  • Adding permanent driveways or replacing redundant driveways with new footpaths, these require a 'Driveway Application' form to be completed.

Costs and Fees

Standard

Assessment fee

Applicable in all cases - non-refundable

$128

Per permit

Restoration deposit

Applicable in all cases, for all surfaces

$2,800

Per permit

Permanent driveway inspection fees

2 mandatory inspections, fee includes both inspections

$935

Additional driveway inspections fee

$255

Before you start

Important information 

  • A single application can be used for multiple frontages of the same site. 
  • All works being carried out under this approval must be carried out by qualified and licenced trades people whose registration / accreditation details are essential and must be provided at the time of submitting your application. 
  • Works during December are restricted due to extended trading hours and school holidays leading up to Christmas & New Year. View a map showing exclusion zones and the applicable dates at http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/development/building-and-construction-approvals/construction-regulation 
  • All approvals issued by us are subject to the standard conditions for road opening works. These conditions can be found on page 3 of the downloadable guide. 
  • In addition to the standard conditions mentioned above, site specific conditions based on location and type of works required will be included. These may include but not be limited to:

* Approved work days and hours of work 

* Traffic & pedestrian controls required for the works 

* Notification for the adjoining premises 

* The type and number of vehicles allowed at site.

Road opening permit guide

More information 

Once your works are completed

Temporary restoration

Once works are completed the party/parties carrying out the works must temporarily restore the area so the work site is safe for traffic donditioins, pedestrians and vehicles. Temporary restoration specifications can be found in the notes at the back of the guide. 

Notification to the Asset Inspector

Contact the asset inspector (details on the permit) when you're about to start your works. At the completion of your works the asset inspector will arrange a site visit to measure the site for permanent restoration. 

Permanent restoration of the site

All permanent restoration works will be carried out by us using the deposit paid on collection of the approved permit. If the cost of restoration is less than the deposit paid, a refund can be issued to the Billable Party. Subsequently, if the cost of restoration is higher than the deposit paid the Billable party will be advised and an invoice issued. 

Permanent restoration requested to be completed by Applicant

If you’re proposing to do your own permanent restoration once your permitted works have been completed, you must seek approval from our Infrastructure Maintenance Unit's Project Coordinator prior to any permanent works being commenced. 

 

 

Construction permits & approvals