Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a)
Permit
application fees. Application fees charged to defray costs incurred by
the Department in reviewing and processing the application and plans, including
the preliminary review of the site location identified in the application,
whether or not a permit is issued and processed shall be as follows:
(1) Application fee-$50.
(2) Supplement fee (each 6-month time
extension) (each submitted change)-$10.
(3) Emergency permit card (each
card)-$5.
(b)
General permit inspection fees. General inspection fees
charged to defray costs incurred by the Department in spot inspections of
permitted work or subsequent inspections after the permitted work has been
completed and to monitor compliance with the permit and this chapter shall be
as follows:
(1) Surface openings. This fee is
calculated on the total linear feet of the opening being permitted with
different areas of the right-of-way.
(i) Total
linear feet of opening (each 100 feet increment or fraction thereof):
(A) Opening in pavement-$40.
(B) Opening in shoulder-$20.
(C) Opening outside pavement and
shoulder-$10.
(ii) If a
longitudinal opening simultaneously occupies two or more highway areas
identified in subparagraph (i), only the higher fee will be charged. Linear
distances shall be measured to the nearest foot.
(2) Surface opening of less than 36 square
feet-for example, service connections performed independently of underground
facility installation, pipe line repairs-(each opening):
(i) Opening in pavement-$30.
(ii) Opening in shoulder-$15.
(iii) Opening outside pavement and
shoulder-$10.
(iv) If an opening
simultaneously occupies two or more highway areas identified in subparagraphs
(i)-(iii), only the higher fee will be charged.
(3) Aboveground facilities (for example,
poles, or guys or anchors if installed independently of poles).
(i) Up to ten physically connected
aboveground facilities (each continuous group)-$20.
(ii) Additional aboveground physically
connected facilities (each pole with appurtenances)-$2.
(4) Crossings (for example, overhead tipples,
conveyors or pedestrian walk-ways, and undergrade subways or
mines)-$80.
(5)
Seismograph-Vibroseis method (for example, prospecting for oil or gas).
(i) First mile-$50.
(ii) Each additional mile or fraction
therefore-$5.
(6)
Nonemergency test holes in pavement or shoulder (each hole)-$5.
(c)
Exemptions.
Permit application fees and general permit inspection fees are not required
from the following:
(1) The
Commonwealth.
(2) Political
subdivisions of this Commonwealth, except when placing a facility
longitudinally within more than 100 total linear feet of pavement. In that
case, the application and inspection fees for pavement openings will be charged
under subsections (a), (b) and (d).
(3) Governmental authorities organized under
the laws of this Commonwealth, except when placing a facility longitudinally
within more than 100 total linear feet of pavement. In that case, the
application and inspection fees for pavement openings will be charged under
subsections (a), (b) and (d).
(4)
The Federal government.
(5) Utility
facility owners for:
(i) The installation or
maintenance of highway lighting at the request of the Department or political
subdivisions.
(ii) The replacement
or renewal of their facilities prior to a Department maintenance project after
notice from the Department.
(iii)
The removal of poles and attached appurtenances.
(iv) Facilities moved at the request of the
Department or political subdivisions.
(v) Reconstructing or maintaining their
facilities which occupy the right-of-way under private status.
(d)
Additional
fees. If the Department anticipates that the cost of reviewing the
required application information or inspecting the permitted work will exceed
the application or inspection fees listed in this section by a significant
amount, the following additional fees will be assessed:
(1)
Additional application
fee. The Department will estimate the additional amount of salary,
overhead and expenses and prepare a reimbursement agreement for execution by
the applicant. Department review of the permit application will commence on the
effective date of the agreement.
(2)
Additional inspection
fees. If the Department determines that the permitted work is of
sufficient magnitude or importance to warrant assignment of one or more persons
to inspect the permitted work on a more than spot inspection basis, the permit
will so indicate and the permittee shall be charged for additional salary,
overhead and expenses incurred by the Department for inspection.
(3)
Charge calculation. The
charges will be calculated either on an actual cost basis or a standard unit
cost basis.
(4)
Invoices. The Department will provide an itemized invoice for
additional fees owed to the Department.
(e)
Refunds. The Department
will refund the general permit inspection fees on unused permits. To be
eligible to receive a refund, the permittee shall deliver the request with the
permittee's copy of the permit to the issuing district permit office on or
before the permit expiration date.
(1) A
refund processing fee of $10 shall be deducted from the general permit
inspection fees.
(2) The permit
application fee is not refundable.
(f)
Miscellaneous fees. The
applicant shall pay for notary and recording costs if it is determined by the
Department that the permit shall be recorded in the county office of the
recorder of deeds.
The provisions of this §459.4 amended under sections 411,
420 and 702 of the State Highway Law (36 P. S. §§
670-411,
670-420 and
670-702).
This section cited in 67 Pa. Code §
459.3 (relating to permit
application procedure); and 67 Pa. Code §
459.6 (relating to emergency
work).
