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DOT requires permit affidavits and inspects permitted street cuts; 311 reporting gaps flagged
Summary
DOT said it now requires an affidavit when contractors file permits on behalf of property owners, inspects all permitted utility street cuts and enforces a 120‑day restoration and one‑year warranty period; council members raised problems with contractors leaving substandard restorations and with the 3‑1‑1 app’s ability to report street cuts.
Baltimore DOT told the committee it has added stronger permit controls and inspection procedures for street‑cut work after council members described cases where contractors filed permits in residents’ names and left poor restorations.
Adam Cloud, chief of Right of Way, said the permitting process now requires an affidavit signed by the applicant and the party filing on their behalf that explains rights and responsibilities under the permit. “We have an affidavit in place now that needs to be signed, by the applicant and the person that's being applied on their behalf acknowledging what the rights and responsibilities are under the permit,” Cloud said.
Why it matters: Council members reported constituents charged fines or left with responsibility when contractors performed work and did not fully restore the right of way. Cloud said the affidavit and other forthcoming changes will add “teeth” to enforcement.
Inspection and warranty details: - DOT said the street cuts group inspects 100% of street cuts performed under a permit (utility street cuts) and that permanent restoration must be completed and pass inspection; restorations have a one‑year warranty window. The team typically has 120 days to complete permanent restoration, extendable for weather conditions. - If work is done under a blanket permit, permit holders must submit a street cut notification form for each cut so inspections are tracked.
311 reporting gap: - Council members said the 3‑1‑1 mobile app lacks a clear “street cut” service request (SR) option. DOT data chief Webster Ramoga acknowledged three SR tags related to street cuts and steel plates but agreed to follow up and ensure the street‑cut SR is available and user‑friendly in the public app.
Ending: DOT said it will continue improving permit controls, pursue stronger enforcement against contractors who fail to restore work properly, and work with the 3‑1‑1 team to fix public reporting options.
