Work on highway right-of-way (ROW) permits

Truck working along side roadA permit is required for any state highway ROW work that is not related to utilities, driveways or road/street connections. This work may include, but is not limited to:

  • Storm sewers for highway drainage
  • Drainage pipes and drainage tile
  • Temporary pipes/hoses for irrigation, animal waste, etc.
  • Landscaping
  • Groundwater monitoring wells
  • Vegetation cutting in front of an outdoor advertising sign
  • Surveying
  • Soil borings
  • Crash investigation and clean-up
  • Removal of contaminated soils
  • Environmental and invasive species assessments
  • Frac sand transported by pipe or conveyor
  • Municipal and tribal nation welcome signs under Wis. Stat. ss. 84.30(2)(hm), 86.19(1n), and 86.19(1p)
    • WisDOT policy for municipal and tribal nation welcome sign permits

How to apply for a work on highway ROW permit

WisDOT uses SHAPES (State Highway Access and Permitting Electronic System) to process Work on Highway ROW permits. Go to the SHAPES page and follow the instructions to create an account and get started applying for a permit. Using SHAPES is the fastest way to obtain a permit. There is no fee to apply.

Go to SHAPES

The Work on Highway Right-of-way Permit Application form DT1812 has been recreated in SHAPES and a new mapping feature has been added. You must still provide a complete description of the proposed work along with detail drawings, construction methods, types of materials, work zone traffic control diagrams, and the length of time needed to complete the work. This supporting documentation can be submitted as PDFs, Word documents, images, etc., using the "ATTACHMENTS" button in the top menu bar, which is made available in SHAPES once you save your application.

Transportation Regional Offices MapIf a customer does not have access to a computer, they should fill out form DT1812 in ink and provide the same supporting documentation noted above. Mail the completed form and documentation to the transportation region office listed for the county where the proposed work will be located.

Find a transportation region office

WisDOT staff will enter the customer's name and address into SHAPES, which allows us to process their paper application electronically.

For vegetation cutting in front of an outdoor advertising sign under Wis. Stat. s. 84.305, see below under "Questions." These permits are not issued in SHAPES but instead through WisDOT's Outdoor Advertising Control System (OACS).

Work zone requirements and training

See the main State ROW permits page for information on this topic.
Please note the requirements on the use of green lamps (lights).

Questions

Contact a transportation region office for specific questions regarding permit issues or requests.
The link below contains a map of the state with region boundaries and office contacts.

Contact a transportation region office

► For questions and DT1812 permit application form submission associated with vegetation cutting in front of an outdoor advertising sign under Wis. Stat s. 84.305, contact Vicki Schmitz, Outdoor Advertising Program Lead, (608) 267-7256.

For general questions, contact:

Bob Fasick
Wisconsin DOT
Bureau of Highway Maintenance
4822 Madison Yards Way, 5th Floor South
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 266-3438
robert.fasick@dot.wi.gov


Associated Wisconsin law

Visit the links below for Wisconsin law associated with utilities and permitting on state right of way.