Any work occurring in the right-of-way, including adding or modifying driveway approaches, requires an excavation permit (see YMC 8.72.030). Private construction of public infrastructure in the right of way will also be subject to an Engineering (ENG) Permit.

EXCAVATION PERMIT APPLICATION PACKET

Application Submittal

A complete application includes:

• A completed and signed application form
• Detailed site plan showing the specific location and area of the excavation, including the dimensions (length and width)
• Schedule of the proposed period of the excavation
• Traffic Control Plan (TCP) – designed and drawn using MUTCD standards or by a certified traffic control supervisor.
• Certificate of Insurance for the contractor (see example in application packet)
• Minimum of $10,000 excavation bond for the contractor (see application packet for template)
  • One bond is required per job site
• Payment of the $160 application fee
  • Restoration fees may be assessed at the completion of the project.

The applicant must be licensed in the State of Washington to construct public improvements, have an appropriate City of Yakima business license, and all other licenses and permits that are required by the City.

The application and required submittals may be submitted to the Engineering Counter on the 2nd floor of City Hall, emailed to engineering@yakimawa.gov, or mailed to:

City of Yakima Engineering
129 N 2nd St
Yakima, WA 98901

Payment of Application Fee

The application fee may be paid at the Permits Counter on the 2nd floor of City Hall (cash, check, or card), by check in the mail (made payable to City of Yakima and mailed to the address above), or through the online permit center – view instructions here. You will be able to pay online once staff has entered your application information into the system.

Review Process

Engineering staff will review the application and submittals and notify the applicant of any required changes or modifications needed. Once the permit is approved, it will be issued to the contractor via email. The permit must be signed and emailed back to the Development Engineer. The contractor is required to keep a copy of the signed permit at the job site at all times.

The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. A request for extension shall be made in writing to the Development Engineer if additional time is necessary. A $100 fee will be charged for each additional 30 days.

All paving done during November 1st through March 31st shall be subject to approval by the Development Engineer. No cold mix is to be allowed on City of Yakima Arterial roadways during this timeframe. A written request to suspend work on Arterial roadways during this specified timeframe may be submitted to the Development Engineer in order to suspend the fees until the plants are open in the Spring. Approved cold mix on Local roadways shall be maintained throughout the winter and is required to be paved in HMA when plants open in the Spring.

Construction and Inspections

Prior to any work taking place in the right of way, the City of Yakima Construction Inspector shall be notified 72 hours in advance: Kirsten McPherson, (509) 575-6228 or Kirsten.McPherson@yakimawa.gov.

Once the work is complete, the Construction Inspector shall be notified to complete a final inspection and calculate the restoration and any other applicable fees.

Penalty Fees (YMC 8.72.070(A)(6)(iii)):

Failure to comply with Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 8.72 will result in a five hundred dollars per violation per day penalty. 

Restoration Fees (YMC 8.72.070(A)(4)):

Restoration fees will be required when there is any disturbance of pavement. The fees are calculated based on the trench size and pavement condition index (PCI). These fees will be invoiced at the completion of the project.

Warranty Period

The excavation permit will remain open for two years after the work is completed. Should the pavement or sidewalk surface over any excavation sink or break within two years after the excavation has been completed, the permittee shall, upon written notice from the City, immediately repair the installation or backfill and have the pavement restored as specified by the City, within such time period as may be specified by the City.

a)    If the permittee does not respond or is not able to respond in a timely manner as required by the city, the city may cause the work to be done.

b)    The cost thereof, including any inspection costs and administrative overhead incurred by the city, shall be assessed against the permittee.