Right-of-Way Services: Inspections Roadmap

This guide provides contractors with a roadmap for Right-of-Way Services inspections. It outlines the general inspection sequence, identifies key points during the construction process and when inspections are needed, and explains how to prepare for each inspection.

The goal is simple: help contractors know what needs to be inspected, when it needs to be inspected, and what is needed to keep the work moving forward.

1. Pre-Construction Meeting

You must attend a pre-construction meeting before work begins. Complete the entire Pre-Construction Checklist (LINK) before the meeting. Give the completed checklist to the inspector at the meeting.

The City will hold the meeting:

• In person
• By email
• By phone
• Through Microsoft Teams

Schedule the pre-construction meeting at least five days before work begins or the right-of-way is blocked. Find your permit in the Permit and Development Portal to schedule the meeting.

Bring or Provide

• Completed Pre-Construction Checklist
• Approved plans and revisions
• Construction schedule
• Contractor contact information
• Traffic Control and Pedestrian Plan
• Utility locate information
• Emergency contacts
• Plan for notifying affected property owners and the public
• Proposed restoration plan
• Existing-condition photographs or video

The Meeting Will Cover

• Limits of permitted work
• Construction sequence
• Work hours
• Inspection requirements
• Critical utilities and areas
• Traffic and pedestrian access
• Equipment and material storage
• Directional bore or trench locations
• Vault and handhole locations
• Required notifications
• Restoration requirements
• Permit closeout requirements
• Procedures for field conflicts and plan changes

2. During Construction

Keep Required Documents On Site

• Active permit
• Current approved plans
• Traffic Control and Pedestrian Plan (including bike paths)
• Emergency contacts

Communication With the Inspector

Contact the assigned inspector when:

• Work is ready for inspection
• The permit may expire before completion
• Field conditions do not match the plans
• A utility conflict is found
• The installation route must change
• Public access will be affected
• Property or public infrastructure is damaged
• Work is stopped
• Restoration is ready for inspection (schedule inspection)
• Notify the inspector and the Right-of-Way Supervisor if work or an emergency occurs outside the permit limits or approved conditions. If the work is on an NCDOT road, also notify the District Engineer.

3. What Will the Inspector look for?

Right-of-Way inspectors will check the following:

• Active construction areas
• Street and pavement cuts
• Sidewalks and accessible ramps
• Temporary restoration
• Permanent restoration
• Complaints and unsafe conditions

Equipment and Material Storage

Do not store equipment or materials in the public right-of-way outside the times allowed by the permit.

This includes:

• Construction vehicles
• Utility reels
• Spoil piles
• Gravel
• Pipe or conduit
• Vaults or handholes awaiting installation
• Dumpsters
• Portable storage units
• Portable toilets
• Concrete washout areas

Materials and equipment must not:

• Block sidewalks
• Block accessible routes
• Reduce sight distance
• Interfere with traffic
• Block driveways without approval by the property owner
• Cover utility access points
• Block drainage
• Enter private property without permission

Traffic and Pedestrian Safety

Approved traffic control must be installed before work begins.

Contractors must:

• Follow the approved traffic control plan.
• Maintain required signs, cones, barricades, and other devices.
• Provide a safe pedestrian route.
• Keep accessible routes usable.
• Maintain emergency access.
• Protect bike lanes when affected.

4. Requesting Inspections and Correcting Work

Request an Inspection

Request an inspection through the Permit and Development Portal. Open the dashboard, find your permit, and schedule the inspection.

An inspection request does not guarantee an appointment time. The inspection date depends on the type and location of the work, staff availability, emergencies, and the current workload.

Failed or Incomplete Permitted Work

The City will require correction when work:

• Creates an unsafe condition
• Damages public property
• Blocks access
• Fails to meet restoration requirements
• Is covered before a required inspection

The contractor may be required to:

• Remove and replace defective and uninspected work
• Replace failed materials
• Repair damaged infrastructure
• Restore the site
• Request reinspection
• Pay applicable fees or penalties

5. Enforcement

The City May Stop Work

Work may be stopped when:

• A required permit is missing or expired
• Approved plans are not at the site
• Required traffic control is missing
• The work creates an immediate safety risk
• Construction is outside the permitted limits
• The contractor ignores correction instructions
• Required inspections are not requested
• Work damages public infrastructure
• The contractor fails to protect the public

The permit holder is responsible for the site until the City confirms that the permit is closed.

Possible Enforcement Actions

The City may take one or more of the following actions, depending on the violation and its authority:

• Written correction notices
• Work stoppage
• Reinspection fees
• Citations
• Permit suspension or revocation
• Required removal or replacement
• Use of bonds or other available remedies
• Referral to another City or State agency

6. Restoration Requirements

Restore all disturbed areas as required by the permit, approved plans, City standards, and the inspector. Restore all public infrastructure to the same or better condition. See Standard Transportation Details.

Restoration may include, but is not limited to:

• Asphalt pavement
• Concrete pavement
• Sidewalk
• Accessible ramps
• Curb and gutter
• Driveways
• Planting strips
• Lawns and landscaping
• Shoulders and ditches
• Pavement markings
• Signs
• Streetlights
• Traffic signals
• Drainage features

Recently Resurfaced or New Streets

Work on a newly built or recently resurfaced street may require a higher level of pavement restoration.

Use the restoration detail required by the permit and approved plans. Do not assume a small patch will be accepted.

T-10.05.1 – Asphalt Pavement Patch and RCP Pipe Backfill (1)

T-10.05.2 – Asphalt Pavement Patch and RCP Pipe Backfill (2)

T-10.29 - Standard Utility Locations in Street

T-10.30 - Standard Utility Locations in Street with Curb-Level Bikeway

7. Final Site Inspection and Permit Closeout

Construction is considered completed only after the work area is restored and the City approves the Site Final inspection.

Before the Final Site Inspection

Confirm that:

• All permitted work is complete.
• Any Code Enforcement cases are resolved.
• Temporary repairs are fixed and restored fully.
• Pavement restoration is complete.
• Sidewalks and accessible ramps are complete.
• Curb and gutter are restored.
• Driveways are restored.
• Lawns and planting strips are stabilized.
• Drainage is working.
• Construction materials and equipment are removed.
• Traffic control is removed only after the City authorizes its removal.
• Property damage and complaints are resolved.
• Required records have been submitted.
• The site is safe and ready to inspect.

Contact Right-of-Way Services

For questions about permits, inspections, or project closeout, contact your inspector. Include the following information:

• Permit number
• Project address
• Utility owner
• Contractor
• Field contact
• Short description of the question
• Photographs when applicable
• Email:  rightofwayconcerns@raleighnc.gov for general inquiries.