Street Opening Permits

To apply online, please download and fill out the application below, then click this link: Street Opening Permit
 
Where is the Street Opening Permit?
 
Scroll to the bottom of this page and download from the link provided.
 
When is a Street Opening Permit required?
 
A Street Opening Permit is needed when work within the limits of the Public Way is proposed. The public way includes the roadway, grass strip, and the sidewalk areas. Work that requires a Street Opening Permit includes:
 
  • Installation of new driveways
  • The widening of a driveway entrance
  • Drainage work
  • Water main or service work
  • Gas main or service work
  • Underground electrical and telecommunication work
  • Any other excavation within the Public Way
Why is a Street Opening Permit required?
 
The Town of Lynnfield established the Street Opening Permit to protect the property and residents of the Town when road work occurs. The Street Opening Permit process insures that:
 
  • The road is restored properly by the contractor who performs the work and not by the Town.  
  • Residents and traffic are protected from dangerous road conditions created during and after road work is done. Proper insurance, signage, barricades, and other safety conditions are required by the street opening permit.
What are the procedures for obtaining a Street Opening Permit?
 
1. All work covered by a Street Opening Permit shall comply with the Department of Public Work’s Right of Way Permit Manual.
 
2. Only the contractor performing the work shall submit a permit application for work to be done within the public way.
 
3. The required insurance and bonding documentation shall be in the name of the contractor who is performing the work. The Town of Lynnfield shall be named as the insured for each insrance and bonding document. The insurance and bonding requirements for Street Opening Permits can be found at Insurance Requirements.
 
4. Street Opening Permit applications can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. All applications shall be either typewritten or printed legibly and shall be submitted in person to the Department of Public Works.
 
5. All applications shall be submitted with a sketch of the proposed work. This sketch shall be drawn in the designated area given on the application showing:
        a. General location of the site from the nearest intersection, street or other permanent and distinctive landmark.
        b. Location of all existing drainage structures, culverts, and streams in the vicinity of the proposed work.
        c. Location of house, driveway, and garage closest to the proposed work.
        d. General location of site boundaries, sidewalks, and edge of road in the vicinity of the proposed work. The Department of Public Works reserves the right to request that a large scale drawing with additional information be submitted if it is deemed that more detail is needed.
 
6. Payment for the Street Opening Permit shall be submitted to the Department of Public Works at the time the application is submitted unless otherwise approved for by the Director of Public Works. Permit fee is fifty dollars, however, additional fees may apply depending upon the work proposed. The permit fee structure can be found in the Department of Public Works Right of Way Permit Manual.
 
7. Work within the public way shall not proceed until the permit is approved and signed by the Town Engineer and/or the Field Inspector.
 
8. Failure to comply with the Street Opening Permit process may result in being fined, disbarred from being permitted in the future by the Town, or other punitive actions.
 
To apply online, please download and fill out the appropriate applications from the main PERMIT page