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On-Street Construction & Maintenance Permit

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Read about up-to-date COVID-19 related service adjustments for development, permit, licencing, and construction & inspection services.

OSCAM Permits

On-Street Construction and Maintenance (OSCAM) permits are required for all work on City road-right-of-ways, including roads, sidewalks and boulevards.

Average processing time for an OSCAM permit application is 6 business days. Unless it’s an emergency, allow time for processing and public notification, especially for major impacts.

OSCAM Permit Application

Restoration

Major utilities can request restoration by the City to complete an OSCAM permit. You must have an OSCAM number to complete this form.

Request Restoration

When is an OSCAM Permit Required?

On-Street Construction and Maintenance (OSCAM) permits are required for all work on City road-right-of-ways under any one of the following conditions:

  • All work that involves excavation of roadways, sidewalks, or boulevards
  • All work on freeways, river crossings, in the downtown core, or Whyte Avenue area
  • Non-excavation work that interferes with traffic flows on major roadways during the hours of 6-9am and/or 3:30-6:30pm, excluding weekends and holidays
  • Non-excavation work locations with a duration of more than 4 hours at any one location
  • Multiple non-excavation work locations, each less than 4 hours in duration, but closer than 250m apart are considered to be one location and require an OSCAM permit
  • Temporary crossing of a sidewalk and/or boulevard for the purpose of accessing private lands from a public roadway

If you’re unsure if you require an OSCAM Permit, phone at 780-442-6458 or email roaduse.permit@edmonton.ca.

A $25 per day permit fee is required for most On-Street Construction and Maintenance (OSCAM) permits. Temporary Crossing Permits and Tree Protection Permits are exempt from this fee.

Application Process

Apply for OSCAM Permit

Prior to submitting an OSCAM Permit Application, please review the Pre-Planning Checklist Before Work Begins

Do you have a Customer ID Number?

The Customer ID Number makes the application process faster as it auto-fills portions of the form. The Customer ID Number can be found on a previously approved OSCAM Permit.

If you don’t have a Customer ID number, complete the application and one will be provided with the approval of your OSCAM permit.

Do you have a Traffic Accommodation Plan?

A Traffic Accommodation Plan (TAP) is required for a traffic lane, bike lane, sidewalk or road closure. If your project involves a closure, a TAP should be submitted with your OSCAM Application.

If you have not yet created your TAP or are unfamiliar with the process, please use the online tools located in the Traffic Accommodation Plan section on this page.

When should you submit an application?

  • High impact to traffic - minimum 10 working days prior to start of work, request an OSCAM permit
  • Low impact to traffic - minimum two working days prior to start of work, request an OSCAM permit
  • Emergency work - report work immediately to the City at 780-944-7694 or after hours at 311

Processing Time

Average processing time for an OSCAM permit application is 6 business days. Unless it’s an emergency, please allow time for processing and public notification, especially for major impacts.

You’ll receive notification by email with a reference number in the event you need to follow up with the OSCAM permit office.

Method of Payment

A $25 per day permit fee is now required for most OSCAM Permits.

If you are required to pay fees for your OSCAM permit, you may select your preferred method of payment during the application process. Based on your selection, you will receive an email to pay by credit card or an invoice in the mail.

Traffic Accommodation Plans (TAP)

Protect the work area and maintain traffic flow around construction sites by placing various signs, barricades, mini barriers or traffic cones in strategic positions. It may be necessary to use flag persons. Contractors will determine the requirements for suitable site protection based on the situation.

What is a Traffic Accommodation Plan (TAP)?

A traffic accommodation plan (TAP) is a diagram sketch which demonstrates the traffic control devices and signage used during the temporary occupancy of road right-of-way.

What Traffic Control Devices and signage should I use in the TAP?

Review the City’s requirements for temporary traffic control devices and signage used in a set up. The following may be used depending on the situation:

Check out the following documents for situational example sketches:

The Alberta Construction Safety Association offers two training courses on temporary traffic control:

Alberta Temporary Traffic Control

Alberta Temporary Traffic Control Field Application

 
Temporary Crossing Permit (TCP)

Temporary Crossing Permits (TCP) are issued as an OSCAM permit under the work reason: Temporary Crossing TCP.

A Temporary Crossing Permit (TCP) is required when motorized equipment will be crossing:

  • A boulevard or a sidewalk to temporarily access private property from the public road right-of-way, when there is no legal access to private property

A TCP may also require a Tree Protection Plan if the applicant must provide protection to boulevard trees and/or is within 5 metres of a City tree. The applicant shall also provide protection for the boulevard itself and ensure there is appropriate drainage.

The City of Edmonton Residential Infill Construction Guide provides additional information about these requirements.

During the Project

Standards of Performance

The Prime Contractor is responsible for adhering to the City’s Standards of Performance for the span of the project.

All work within road-rights-of-way must be completed within City of Edmonton Design and Construction Standards. City lands must be restored to the same state and condition in which it existed prior to work commencement.

Record Keeping

Records shall be kept by the job site supervisor for any work which is interfering with traffic.

Record Keeping

Extensions or Start Date Change Requests

If you can no longer complete your project within the dates shown on the OSCAM Permit or you need to change your start date, please contact:

Road Use Permits Office
780-442-6458
roaduse.permit@edmonton.ca
Any additional fees associated with the extension will be added to your balance owing.

Project Completion

A warning email will be sent 2 days prior to the OSCAM end date. Please contact the Roaduse Permit Office at 780-442-6458 immediately if you require an extension.

All materials must be removed from the road right-of-way by the end date and time shown on the OSCAM Permit.

Restoration

City lands must be restored to the same state and condition in which it existed prior to work commencement. If you require restoration by the City to and have an OSCAM permit number, please fill out a Restoration Request Form.

The Guidelines for Excavation and Core Restoration (Section 2965) summarize the Design and Construction Standard key points. The construction standard has exact details for your work area.

FAQ

Why is there a fee associated with the OSCAM Permit?
The daily permit fee is intended as an incentive for contractors to occupy road rights-of-way when necessary by ensuring the permit application aligns with the actual number of work days, as opposed to estimated work days. This will reduce obstruction and provide the public more opportunity to access and use these spaces.

The application of daily permit fees aligns with other Canadian municipalities such as Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Occupant fees for temporary daily use of public road right-of-way will be phased in starting in 2021, with initial implementation applied to Edmonton’s freeway and arterial road system. These fees will be based upon the size and location of the space occupied.

Please note that the permit fee does not apply to Temporary Crossing Permits or Tree Protection Permits.

Why is an OSCAM Permit needed for infill projects?
Up to four OSCAM permits with the following work reasons may be expected for infill development projects:

  • Temporary Crossing Permit (TCP) - currently no charge and applied for the duration of a project
  • Tree Shrub Hoarding (City Tree Protection) - currently no charge and applied for the duration of a project
  • Storage of materials or extended use of City property to accommodate a work site - OSCAM permit fees will apply
  • Placement of Waste Bins or PODS on City Property - OSCAM permit fees will apply

Please see the City of Edmonton Residential Infill Construction Guide for more information about these requirements.

No Cut Exemption Request

A moratorium exists where a roadway or alley has been classified with a VCI (visual condition index) greater than 6, or where special restoration requirements are needed.

Utility Line Assignment

Authorization of utility and monitoring well installations within public road-right-of-way by external agencies and private utilities must first enter into an agreement with the City of Edmonton.

Related Documents

OSCAM Permit Reference Map (6MB)

Procedures for On-Street Construction Safety

Related Links

Utility Line Assignment Permit

For More Information

OSCAM Permitting

Traffic Operations

Telephone

(780) 442-6458
Email roaduse.permit@edmonton.ca

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