Utility Permits
Apply for a utility permit to install new gas, electric, sewer, or small wireless facilities.
Utility permits are a type of engineering permit that are required when doing any construction work that involves utilities such as gas, electricity, sewer, or small wireless facilities.
Notify Underground Service Alert at (800) 227-2600 at least two working days before you excavate.
Installing new gas and electric service
To install new gas or electric service to a new development, first obtain a utility permit. Contact the Permit Service Center to discuss your project and apply for a utility permit. You will need to pay all permit and inspection fees associated with your project.
You may choose to do the trenching and backfilling yourself, or pay PG&E to do it for you. If you choose to do the trenching and backfilling, you must follow the Concrete Detail Specifications.
Installing new sewer lateral
For more information about new sewer lateral, please review the Private Sewer Lateral page.
Installing new small wireless facilities
Small wireless facilities, also known as small cells, are small antennas placed on streetlight or utility poles that are able to deliver fast broadband access to telecommunications devices. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Small Cell Order streamlines the installation of new small cells by limiting local control.
To install a new small cell, telecommunications companies must apply for a permit and follow the City of Berkeley’s aesthetic guidelines. View a list of recent small cell permits issued.
The City will randomly select and test small cell antenna installations, on a biannual basis, to verify conformance with FCC regulations for radio frequency emissions. View the results of recent testing below:
