STATE HIGHWAY RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ENTRANCE PERMITS

State highway entrance permits are required in order to assure well defined and properly engineered points of access onto, or from, State highways. When properly done, the motorist should have minimal difficulty entering a residential subdivision or commercial or industrial establishment from the highway. Properly located and designed, the entrance and exit allow and encourage the safe movement of vehicles in a pattern that will minimize interference with other traffic.

WHEN APPROVAL IS REQUIRED

• Whenever access for entrance or exit to, or from, a State road is desired
• To develop a new street or modify an existing street or street intersection
• To change existing entrances or to create new ones into existing commercial, industrial or residential development
• To modify, expand, or in any other way make improvements to existing facilities that will increase or change the type of vehicular operations or traffic pattern
• When changing the use or occupancy of an existing facility
• When desiring to work within or across a highway right-of-way, including connection of utilities

HOW TO APPLY AND WHAT TO DO

Applications for entrance permits are taken at the permitting agency listed above. The applicant for an entrance permit must be the property owner, developer, or the authorized agent of the owner. If the applicant is anyone other than then owner, an affidavit, signed by the owner authorizing the agent to apply, must accompany the permit application.

Building permit applications and proposed development plans are reviewed twice a week, both at the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits and the Department of Planning and Zoning. Neither will be approved if State Highway Administration approval has not been received.

Permits will be reviewed for compliance with the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and State Highway Administration publication, “Procedures and Standards for Commercial, Industrial, Subdivision Access to State Highways (1991)”. Separate utility permits are required from the State Highway Administration utility engineer when utility connections or utility work is required within the State right-of-way.

PROCESSING TIME

State Highway entrance permits are normally processed three (3) weeks after submittal of all required documents, including bond. Permits may take longer when special approvals are required.

FEES:

For information regarding fees, contact the permitting agency listed above.

DURATION OF APPROVAL:

One year.

WHO TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE:

For residential entrances serving one to five homes:

• State Highway Administration
  5111 Buckeystown Pike
  Frederick, MD 21704
  Ph: 301-624-8115
  Toll Free: 800-635-5119

Change in use, or resubdivision of land for more than five homes:

• State Highway Administration
  Engineering Access Permits Division
  (see permitting agency for address)
  Ph: 410-545-5603
  Toll Free in MD only 800-876-4742