A right of way is the publicly owned area in a development or neighborhood that extends beyond the back of the curb into the residential or business yard. A common misconception is that the homeowner’s or business owner’s property line goes right up to the curb. It does not. The public owns a certain amount of the land behind the curb (right of way). The size of the right of way is not always the same for every property. 

The right of way is important for the installation and maintenance of streets and private and public utilities including electrical, gas, phone, cable/fiber, sewer and water, and storm sewer lines. The right of way area behind the curb is also used for snow storage when the city plows streets. The city administers the use of this area through a permitting process.

An easement is the area of land that lies adjacent to the private property line. An easement allows public and private utilities to do work on approximately 10 feet either side of the property line without seeking permission from the property owner. The only difference between an easement and the right of way is the easement is private rather than public property. 

Typically, easements are either included as part of the original plat of the property or have been established through negotiation with a property owner. The easement stays in effect until the easement is no longer needed and is vacated. If the property is bought and sold, the easement remains in effect.

Any individual or group – including utility companies, telecommunications firms, private contractors and private individuals – must have a permit to use the right of way. Right-of-way permits are applied for and paid for through the city’s online permitting system.

To apply for a permit you must be a registered ROW user for the city of Plymouth. If you are not a registered ROW user for Plymouth please complete the ROW User Registration application and email it with a current certificate of insurance to engineering@plymouthmn.gov. You will not be able to apply for permits through BS&A until the completed form and certificate of insurance are received and you are added to our list of licensed contractors. The ROW user registration application and certificate of insurance requirements can be found below under Reference Materials. 

To apply for a permit, click the Online Permit Application button at the top of this webpage. You will need to set up an account with BS&A to apply for and pay for permits.

Minnesota excavators are responsible for notifying Gopher State One Call (GSOC) of their proposed excavations so facility operators with underground facilities near the excavation site can be informed of pending excavation. See Minnesota State Statutes 216D.03 - 216D.07. Excavators are required to notify GSOC 48 hours in advance, excluding weekends and holidays, before beginning excavation. Notify GSOC of your excavation plans online here.

Reference Materials:

• See Section 800 for Right of Way Ordinance 
  See Section 1015 for Right-of-Way Fee Schedule City Code
• Easements & Right-of-Way Handout (PDF)
• What You Need to Know (PDF)
• Certificate of Insurance Requirements
• ROW User Registration Form

Reference Materials:

• See Section 800 for Right of Way Ordinance 
  See Section 1015 for Right-of-Way Fee Schedule City Code
• Easements & Right-of-Way Handout (PDF)
• What You Need to Know (PDF)
• Certificate of Insurance Requirements (PDF)
• ROW User Registration Application (PDF)

Grading permits are applied for and paid through the city’s online permitting system. You can apply for a permit by clicking on the button below, registering with BS&A if you haven’t already, and providing the requested information.

Please notify the Engineering Department if you have not applied for a Grading permit previously so we can add you to our system.

Reference Materials:

• Checklist of Required Information and Information Required for Plans (PDF)
• City Code
  •  See Section 526 for Erosion Control

Scheduling an Inspection

To schedule an inspection, please contact the Engineering Division at engineering@plymouthmn.gov or call 763-509-5500 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday