Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Operations Permits Office processes all Minor Access Permits and Highway Occupancy Permits (HOP) on State highways. Operations permits office also handles construction inspection / coordination for all Major access projects.

Highway Occupancy Permits (HOP)

Important Points to Check before you submit Application to avoid delays:

• Application Fees Submitted
• Application form should be filled out completely either typed or printed legibly (2 copies).
• Plan sheets should be stapled together and submitted in sets (4 sets).
• Straight Line Diagrams only.
• Permit Review, Approval, Execution and Closeout Process
• All plans should be collated and stapled into sets that include the traffic control plan and restoration detail (if applicable). Plans only need to be printed on large enough paper to see the necessary detail.
• Plan sets larger than 8-1/2” x 11” should be folded, showing the title block. We do not accept rolled plans. If plans are received rolled, we will request that you send a new folded set, thus delaying the processing of your application.
• Case manager should only be contacted after 45 days if you do not receive an update for your application.

Banners, Decorations, Temporary Announcements, or Guide Signs

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Documentation of Local Endorsement.
• Plan - including size, height off the roadway, and what will be attached. (How will it be mounted?)​​​​​​​

Bridge Attachments

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Structural Calculations for attachment.
• Evidence of existing infrastructure above and below ground.
• Plan showing attachment location on structure.
• Details showing attachment method.

Bus Shelter

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Plan Should include Size of Shelter, set back, Minimum of 25 Feet of Curb, if No curb exist.
• Shoulder construction may be require if evidence show shoulder deterioration.
• Resolution or certification for maintenance if it is going to be maintained by other than the applicant.
• Location of bus shelters, details of bus shelters.
• Traffic order.
• Evidence of existing infrastructure above and below ground.

Charitable Solicitation on Roadways(Coin Drop/Toss)

• Sealed copy of a municipal ordinance authorizing the signing of the permit on behalf of the municipality by the local police chief or whomever is responsible for municipal police services and states that this entity will be responsible for supervising the solicitation and enforcing the terms of the charitable solicitation permit.
• State highway traffic control plan.
• Documentation of local authority endorsement from any and all authorities (municipal and county) that have jurisdiction at the location of the solicitation.
• Local law enforcement commitment for traffic control.
• The solicitation route.

Crosswalks

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Striping plan.

Curb and sidewalk

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Construction Plan, showing Width of Sidewalk-Minimum 4 ft (5 Ft recommended)
• Copy of Deed if applicant is Property Owner.
• Block and lot (except for local authority applications.)
• Evidence of existing infrastructure above and below ground.
• Plans must include NJDOT curb and sidewalk details.

Detours on and off of state highways

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Documentation of local authority endorsement if the detour is off state highway right of way in accordance with NJSA 27:3-1.
• Proposed detour route with all required signs.

Drainage

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Site plan including the existing and proposed drainage facilities.
• Block and lot (except for local authority applications.)
• Evidence of existing infrastructure above and below ground.
• Hydrology & Hydraulics Checklist (if to be sent to H&H for review).
• Storm water management report or drainage calculations including 25 year storm event.

Erection of Pole

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Site plan showing the following:
• Existing pole location(s) with offset and pole number.
• Existing service drops and conduit(s) Transferred responsibility party should be Permittee (must reflect on Plan).
• Proposed pole location(s) with pole number.
• Offset from driveway/side street curb return should be minimum of 10 feet or setback 5 feet from face of the curb.
• Offset of face of proposed pole from face of curb.
• Proposed Pole should be installed behind Guiderail.
• No pole allowed within Guiderail end treatment minimum of 30 feet.
• No pole allowed in driveway island less than 100 Linear feet.
• No pole allowed in grass median of divided highway.
• Offset to back of guiderail (must be at least 4 ft without having to modify the guiderail).
• Note stating the existing pole to be removed within 90 days of new pole installation.
• Existing or proposed infrastructure above and below ground

Grading

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Existing Grading for Site.
• Proposed Grading for Site.
• Block and lot (except for local authority applications.)
• Contours or cross sections.
• Evidence of existing infrastructure above and below ground.
• Soil Conservation District approval, if more than 5000 square feet will be disturbed.

Guiderail

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Existing site Grading and Proposed site Grading.
• Guiderail calculations based on NJDOT Roadway Design Manual.
• Block and lot, except for local authority applications.
• Evidence of existing infrastructure above and below.
• Plan showing the guiderail work with all applicable NJDOT guiderail details.

Landscaping, tree trimming, vegetation control, or unclassified landscaping

• Traffic Control Plan.
• Block and lot, except for local authority applications.
• Infrastructure above and below ground.
• Plan showing proposed work.
• If vegetation is being planted, detail specifications of each type of vegetation.

Lane and Shoulder Closure

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Existing Striping plan, or Location of work area (pole, Manhole etc.)
• Existing Number of lanes and Shoulder Width.
• Plans should indicate any Overpass (No hanging cables allowed under Overpasses Bridges)
• Any Crossing for Overpasses Bridge must be underground.
• Existing pavement depth when traffic will use the shoulder for long term construction.

Miscellaneous (Permit work not covered by all other categories)

• Supporting documents as required by the department.
• Existing or proposed infrastructure above and below ground.

Monitoring Wells

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Location and Depths of the proposed wells.
• Block and Lot.
• Existing or proposed infrastructure above and below ground.

Parades or gatherings

• State highway traffic control or detour plan.
• Documentation of local authority endorsement.
• Local law enforcement commitment for traffic control.
• Parade Route.

Temporary Use

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Documentation of local authority endorsement.
• Block and Lot.

Test Holes or Borings

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Location and Depths of the proposed holes.
• Block and Lot.
• Existing or proposed infrastructure above and below ground.

Vegetation Canopy Management - Site Investigation (VCI)

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Supporting documents as required by the department.
• Existing or proposed infrastructure above and below ground.

Vegetation Canopy Management - Plan (VCM)

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Supporting documents as required by the department.
• Evidence of Soil Conservation District approval, if more than 5000 sq.ft.
• Evidence of all required permits or approvals.
• Existing or proposed infrastructure above and below ground.

Utility Openings

• Applicable Traffic control plan.
• Site Plan including the following
• Roadway layout (striping, dimensions, etc.)
• Existing infrastructure above and below ground.
• Multiple main for same utility company are NOT allowed in Right of Way (Water main, Sewer, Electric all should be only 1 Line, Gas 1 distribution and 1 Transmission.)
• Proposed opening location with dimensions called out.
• Services for abutting Property should be minimize in Right of Way- 1 Service per Lot for each utility.
• Proposed restoration area labeled (mill & pave.)
• Note stating that any abandoned/retired pipe in grass area over 4” in diameter shall be removed
• Note stating that any abandoned/retired pipe under pavement over 4” in diameter shall be filled with a suitable fill material.
• Note stating that if concrete slabs are found to be within the pavement structure of the roadway than concrete slab removal and replacement with full depth asphalt may be part of the roadway restoration.
• Restoration details.
• Evidence of public utility status by Board of Public Utilities. (for Any New unrecognized Company)
• Evidence of membership in One-Call Damage Prevention System. (for any new unrecognized Company)

Permit Review and Approval Process:

• Application package received & entered our system. A letter acknowledging receipt and noting the application number and the case manager’s information is mailed to the applicant.
• Inspector performs review of application (up to 45 days).
• Inspector sends the Plans to all involved NJDOT-Units Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for review and comments.
• Inspector may send a revision letter with any deficiencies in the submission as per SMEs comments.
• Applicant will submit the revised plans as per the NJDOT Comments provided.
• Revised Plans will be reviewed by SMEs.
• Once the plans are approved by all involved NJDOT Subject Matter Experts.
• Permit issuance package is generated & mailed to applicant.
• Once we receive signed permit package back from applicant, permit will be signed we sign it and mail the final executed permit package to the applicant.

Construction & Close Out Process for Executed Permit Documents

• Applicant should notify case manager for pre-construction meeting. Case manager will go over the plans, schedule, and what is expected of with the contractor.
• Applicant/contractor submits Traffic Interference Report (TO-100 or TO-102) -attached with the permit at least 72 hours in advance of scheduled work.
• Applicant/contractor performs proposed work and all required restoration.
• Done throughout the work being performed.
• Perform final inspection.
• Once work is completed, permit is closed out. No permit will be closed without final inspection.
• Applicant has to provide proper signed and sealed As-Builts to Case Managers, If any drainage pipe or structure modifications were done as part of the work, obtain signed and sealed as-builts for the work.
• Case Manager submits As-Builts to EDU unit.
• Perform final inspection.
• If work was not completed as required, a corrective letter is generated with the punch list items and mailed to applicant for them to make the corrections and then request another final inspection.
• If the work is acceptable, a construction acceptance letter is generated and mailed to the applicant.
• If there is a pre-paid inspection fee/restoration or maintenance guarantee balance, we will put in a refund request with Accounting Dept.