Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

Utility Permit Documents & Information

NOTICE: As of May 18, 2026, enhancements to the District Utility Permit Tracking System (DUPTS) are now available to support improved utility permit application processing and visibility.​

Key updates include​: 

  1. Utility Permit Application (UPA) Enhancements​
    2. • ​New Work Location ZIP Code will now be a required field on permit applications and must be entered in a valid format before submission.
    • Additional signature validation will prevent blank or invalid signatures from being submitted.
    • A new "Add Contractor Email?" option will allow applicants to include a contractor email address for permit-related notifications. When selected, the contractor email field will become required and notifications will be sent to both the permittee and contractor.
  2. ​​​​​​Internal Review Validation Enhancements
    3. • Additional system validations will prevent permit application reviews from being marked completed when required permittee information is missing.
  3. New Public Status Portal for UPA and Permit
    4. • A new public-facing portal will allow users to search by UPA number or Permit number to view the current application/permit status.
    • Additional status descriptions and guidance are available within the portal to help users better understand displayed statuses (hover the mouse over the status for help text).
  4. New DUPTS Landing Page​
    5. • A new landing page will provide users with clear navigation options to:
    • Submit a new Utility Permit Application (UPA)
    • Access the public status portal to check UPA or Permit statuses
    • Locate district contact information.
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Instructions

Utility companies need the State Highway Administration (SHA) authorization before receiving SHA district office permits for work within SHA rights of way. As your utility's representative, you must verify that the utility is authorized to install, operate and maintain facilities in Maryland; that it is capable of maintaining and relocating your facilities as necessitated by SHA operations and projects; and that it can rapidly respond to an emergency.

To install telecommunication facilities such as macro cells, micro (small) cells, or fiber optic lines, visit  Communication Resource Sharing.

Your utility company must meet the following criteria to become a public utility authorized by the MDOT SHA:

  1. The utility must document that it qualifies under one of the following conditions. It must be:
    1. under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Public Service Commission; or
    2.  under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission; or
    3. covered by the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 codified as 47 USC Section 541 and 556; or
    4. governed by Title 9 of the Environmental Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland
  2. The utility must maintain a permanent office in Maryland, staffed 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It must:
    1. demonstrate the ability to respond to a highway emergency within two hours of notification; and
    2. be equipped to repair, adjust, remove, or relocate any facility involved in an emergency; and
    3. provide 24/7 contact information to MDOT SHA.
  3. The utility must comply with Title 12 – Underground Facilities of the Public Utilities Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland if it has or will have any underground facilities.
    1. The utility must document that it is an “owner member” of the “One-Call System,” as defined and required in Title 12.
  4. The utility must provide proof of insurance in accordance with Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, Sections GP-7.14 Liability Insurance and TC-5.01 Insurance.
    1. Note: Make sure to list the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration as a certificate holder on the Certificate of Insurance.
  5. The utility must enter into a Utility Master Agreement with MDOT SHA.
  6. Download a copy of MDOT SHA’s Utility Permit General Provisions (PDF, 2.58 MB) and the Utility Permit General Provisions Acknowledgement Form (PDF, 1.83 MB).

Sign, date and return the Utility Permit General Provisions Acknowledgement Form acknowledging the utility’s agreement to the Utility Permit General Provisions’ terms and conditions. 

Use the following:

  • Utility Permit General Provisions sample
    Utility Permit General Provisions (PDF, 385 KB)

    The Utility Permit General Provisions contains the general requirements, conditions, procedures and contact information required for all activities performed within SHA rights of way. Because the Utility Permit General Provisions apply to all utility permits, you must download the Utility Permit General Provisions; attach a copy of the provisions to each Individual work order permit obtained from the appropriate district office; and post the complete authorized utility permits at your job sites at all times.

  • Utility Permit General Provisions Acknowledgement Form Sample
    Utility Permit General Provisions Acknowledgement Form (PDF, 91 KB)

    You must sign, date and return the Utility Permit General Provisions Acknowledgement Form acknowledging your utility’s agreement to the Utility Permit General Provisions’ terms and conditions.

  • New Landing Page
    New Landing Page

    The new DUPTS Landing Page provides streamlined access to key utility permitting resources, including submitting a new Utility Permit Application (UPA), checking the status of existing UPAs and permits through the public status portal, and locating District Utility Office contact information.

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  • New Online Utility Permit Application
    Online Utility Permit Application

    ​SHA districts issue utility permits for specific types of utility work to be performed within SHA rights of way. These utility permits contain the special requirements, conditions, procedures and contact information for job-specific activities performed by your utility. They include work-specific attachments, plans and addenda (These utility permits are collectively referred to as 'Individual Work Order Permits'). A copy of the utility permit general provisions must be attached to each Individual work order permit. Together, these constitute a complete authorized utility permit to allow the utility access to the requested SHA rights of way to perform specific activities.

  • Utility Permit Application Instructions
    Online Utility Permit Application Instructions
  • Traffic Control Permit Application sample
    Traffic Control Permit Application (formerly “Lane Closure Permit Application”) (PDF, 1.1 MB)

    Traffic control permits are required for all work performed on SHA rights of way. You must return the completed Traffic Control Permit Application with the Utility Permit Application to the appropriate SHA district.

District Utility Engineers - Office Contact Information

Find the appropriate district and county shop information at Regional Information & Districts.



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