Chapter 106 of the Official Code of Cobb County Georgia requires all utilities desiring to locate their facilities in Cobb County rights of way to obtain a permit from the Cobb County Department of Transportation ("the Department"). The purpose of these procedures is to establish the policy and the standards of the Cobb DOT for accommodation of utilities within the County's rights-of-way, to provide a basis for planning of utility installations and to establish procedures for the issuance of permits by Cobb DOT. It is the policy of Cobb DOT and the Board of Commissioners that no utility may occupy the county rights of way unless sufficient space is available so that the free flow and safety of traffic is not unduly impaired and the utility installation does not prevent Cobb DOT from reasonably maintaining the roadways, structures, traffic control devices and other appurtenant facilities, and that maintenance and operations of the utility do not jeopardize the traffic, road structures or the maintenance thereof.

Unless approved otherwise, a proposed utility installation shall conform to the Georgia Department of Transportation's Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards as revised and adopted by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. A certified copy of the Policy and Standards is on file with the Cobb County Clerk.

Official Cobb County Code Adopting and Amending 2016 GDOT Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards

GDOT's 2016 Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards

Copies of the Policy and Standards can be obtained from the Utilities Section of the Georgia Department of Transportation.  Any deviation from the standards shall be noted on the submitted utility plans.

All utilities locating their facilities in new residential and commercial developments shall locate their facilities pursuant to the Cobb County Development Standards. Please visit the Community Development Inspection Information page to download the current Cobb County Development Standards.

In the event that the Development Standards conflict with the Georgia Department of Transportation's Standards, the Cobb County Development Standards shall be followed.

A 24-hour notification during regular business hours (Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays excluded) shall be given to the Department prior to the start of any work. Contact with the Utilities Protection Center does not alleviate this requirement.

The notification shall include complete project information, including project name, location, 24-hour contact name and phone numbers, project schedule, and any other items required by the permit. The 24-hour contact or a designee must be on site at all times work is being performed, and must be able to clearly communicate with the Cobb County Inspector. If requested by the Department, the Applicant's inspector shall meet with a Department representative prior to commencement.

If work begins within 12 months after issuance, and unless otherwise provided in the Special Provisions within the permit, the permit shall be in effect for an indefinite period of time from and after the date issued, unless sooner revoked by mutual consent or suspended, cancelled or revoked by the Department. A permit is automatically revoked when the utility for which the permit is issued ceases or abandons the project.

The permit for the route shall be posted along with any placards required by the Department. Such postings shall include the 24-hour contact name and phone numbers, the project name, and any other items required by the Department.

All existing utilities shall be clearly marked or indicated prior to any excavation. Representatives of major utilities affected by the work shall be afforded the opportunity to be present to observe the work.

All traffic control measures required by the permit shall be at the expense of the permittee. No work shall begin until all traffic control measures shown on the approved traffic control plans are in place. Any deviations to the traffic control plans due to changed field conditions shall comply with the Manual on Uniformed Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (latest edition). Equipment and vehicles shall not be allowed to obstruct the roadway unless essential to the utility work to be performed under the permit. All personnel working in the right of way shall wear the proper protection equipment (i.e. Safety Vest).

Work hours shall be limited to the times shown on the permit. Lane closures are allowed only between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Under extenuating circumstances, the Department will consider allowing additional hours. Approval of additional hours must be in writing. The Applicant is to contact the Department immediately if there is the possibility the road or lane closure will exceed the allowed hours. Unless a verifiable emergency exist, no road closures shall be allowed during inclement weather.

Use of the right of way shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible. No materials or equipment shall be stored on the right of way without prior written approval. No work shall restrict the sight distances for motorist exiting adjacent streets or driveways unless a flagman is provided. Debris shall not be placed on the right of way, but will be hauled away as the excavation occurs. All trenches opened each day must be backfilled to within 19 feet of the end of the trench and compacted to 95% standard proctor using appropriate tamping or vibratory equipment. Any postings must be properly posted and maintained so they are legible.

Erosion control plans conforming to the Cobb County Development Standards shall be submitted with the permit application if required by Cobb County DOT. The most recent best management practices to control erosion shall be used to develop the plans and shall be used to ensure adequate protection from erosion.

All disturbed right-of-way and adjacent private property shall be restored to the complete satisfaction of the Department. If required, a pre-construction survey consisting of photos and/or a video of the right of way to be affected shall be provided to the Department prior to any disturbance. All sidewalks shall be restored within 48 hours of disturbance or removal unless a written time extension is given. Prior approval is required to install flush pull boxes or manholes in the sidewalk.

The Department has the right to suspend or cancel and revoke a permit for cause by issuing a Stop Work Order when permittee fails to comply with any and all terms and conditions of the permit and with the Cobb County Utility Accommodations in Rights of Way ordinance and any other federal, state or local laws. This right includes, but is not limited to, the permittee's failure to maintain facilities in a good state of repair. The Department may require permittee to immediately remove all equipment and materials and to restore the site. The permittee will be required to meet with Cobb County DOT to request a lifting of the Stop Work Order and to enter into any Memorandum of Agreements.

The Department reserves the right to inspect the work during such periods as the Department's field inspector(s) deem necessary to check compliance with the terms of the permit, and to require the permittee to correct all deviations from the approved permit.

If the Department is required to incur additional or unusual expense to insure compliance with the terms of the permit due to inadequate control procedures, permittee shall reimburse the Department for such additional costs of inspection and any repairs the Department must make to the roadway. Any supervision or control exercised by the Department, its personnel or its agents shall in no way relieve the permittee of any duty or responsibility to the general public, nor shall such supervision or control relieve the permittee from any liability for loss, damage or injury to persons or property as provided in the State's Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards manual, incorporated herewith.

Permittee shall indemnify and hold harmless the Department and all Cobb County employees, agents, and the Board of Commissioners from any and all liability as provided in the current edition of the State D.O.T's Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards. These terms shall become terms of and contained within the permit/permit application.