​​​​​​​​​Highway Occupancy Permits

PennDOT issues a variety of different Highway Occupancy Permits (HOPs) to property owners, developers, utility companies, municipalities and municipal authorities, and other interested parties who desire access to the state's right-of-way.

PennDOT has responsibilities to accommodate both HOP​ Applicants/Permittees and the traveling public. It is in the public interest to regulate the design, construction, drainage and maintenance of accesses, local roads, utility facilities, and other property and structures within the state highway right-of-way in order to preserve safe and reasonable access, safe and convenient passage of traffic, as well as protect the structural integrity of the highway.

• Utility Permits may be issued to install, repair, replace, connect, remove, or disconnect privately, publicly or cooperatively owned lines, facilities and systems which directly or indirectly serve the public or any part thereof.
• Driveway/Local Road Permits may be issued to install, alter, or remove a driveway, street or other means of passage of vehicles between the highway and abutting property.
• Miscellaneous Permits may be issued to perform seismograph testing, embankment alterations, surface openings, roadway improvements; construct, replace, or remove curb and/or sidewalk; connect to Department drainage facilities; open test holes; install, repair, replace or remove non-utility structures, tipples, conveyors, pedestrian overhead crossings, subways, mines, or pedestrian underpass crossings.

Guidelines

The following links offer regulatory and technical knowledge, policy, process, and procedure for use when applying for a HOP. Publication 282 is an inclusive guide to PennDOT's HOP program.

• Strike-Off Letter: 494-24-03: Design Alt​ernatives for Low Volume Driveway Highway Occupancy Permits
  
• Strike-Off Letter: 494-24-02:  Warehouse Trip Generation Best Practices​
  
• ​Strike-Off Letter: 494-24-01: HOP Collaboration Workshop​
• Strike-Off Letter: 494-22-09: License Plate Readers
• Publication 282 - Highway Occupancy Permit Operations Manual (PDF)
• ​ Appendix​ A - Policies and Procedures for Transportation Impact Studies(PDF)
  
• TIS/TIA Review Checklist (PDF)
• Appendix B1 - Guidelines for Drainage Impact Reports (PDF)
  
• Appendix B2 - Storm Water Facility Guidebook (PDF)
  
• Appendix C1-HOP Project Application Checklists
  
  • Driveway Application Checklist, Part 1: EPS and Application Requirements (PDF)
    
  • Driveway Application Checklist, Part 2: Design and Plans Presentation Requirements​​ (PDF)
    
  • Utility Application Submission Checklist (PDF)
    
• Appendix C2 - General Permit Notes (PDF)
  
• Appendix C3 - Outline of Right-of-Way Acquisition Procedures for HOPs (PDF)
  
• Appendix C4 - Minimum Use Driveway Design for Unconventional Gas   Drilling  and Hydrofracking Well Sites (PDF) - UPDATED 04/05/2018
• Appendix C5 - Sample ACORD Form with Instructions (PDF)
• Appendix C6 - Signature Authority Guide (Right-of-Way Manual, Appendix F)   (PDF)
• Appendix C7 - Pre-Construction Checklist (PDF)
  
• Appendix C8-Highway Restoration Figures 
  
• Flexible Pavement Restoration Figure C8-1 (PDF)
  
• Rigid Pavement Restoration Figure C8-2 (PDF)
  
• Rigid Pavement Restoration Figure C8-3 (PDF)
• Temporary Pavement Restoration Figure C8-4 (PDF)
• Typical Backfill Section Fi​gure C​8-5 (PDF)​
  
• Appendix C9 - Sample HOP Construction Plans (PDF)
• Publication 312 – Guide for Obtaining Minimum Use Driveway Permits (PDF)
• Publication 819 - Highway Occupancy Permits: Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
• Publication 819A - Highway Occupancy Permits: Owner / Signature Process (PDF)

Miscellaneous Information