14-96.007. Application Submittal, Review, Approval, and Conditions

(1) Application Submittal. The application shall be submitted electronically at One Stop Permitting: https://osp.fdot.gov, or mailed/delivered to the Department’s District Permits Office or to the Department’s District Maintenance and Field Offices.

(2) Application Completeness Review. The Department shall notify the applicant within 30 days of submittal, using State Highway Access Connection Completeness Review, Form 850-040-21, incorporated by reference at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14638, effective 08/22, if additional information is needed, or if there are errors or omissions. Form 850-040-21 is available from the Department of Transportation’s One Stop Permitting internet site at (https://osp.fdot.gov) and may be completed and submitted electronically. A copy of this form is also available upon request from the office of the local area Maintenance Engineer, District Office, Urban Area Office, or Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 19, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450. This notification will list those items needed to complete the application, consistent with the requirements of this rule chapter or additional information needed to evaluate the application. If such a request for additional information is given to an applicant within the 30-day period, the application will be deemed incomplete until the additional requested information is supplied to the Department. An application that requires a fee will not be accepted without the fee.

(a) Unless otherwise indicated in the notice of completeness review, applicants must provide such requested information within 60 days of the receipt of the Access Connection Completeness Review Form.

(b) If the additional information has not been received by the Department within the prescribed time from the date of notification, the application shall be processed based upon the information provided.

(c) If no additional information is requested during the prescribed 30-day Completeness Review Period, the application shall be deemed complete as of the date the Department received the application.

(3) Applicant Time Extension. If the applicant needs more time to provide additional information or correct deficiencies in the application than allowed under this rule chapter, then the applicant may request a waiver of the time requirements by stating the reasons in writing on an Applicant Time Extension Form, Form 850-040-22, incorporated by reference at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14639, effective 08/22. Form 850-040-22 is available from the Department of Transportation’s One Stop Permitting internet site at (https://osp.fdot.gov) and may be completed and submitted electronically. A copy of this form is also available upon request from the office of the local area Maintenance Engineer, District Office, Urban Area Office, or Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 19, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450.

(4) Technical Planning and Engineering Sufficiency/Compliance Review. The applicant will be notified within 90 days of receipt of a complete application, receipt of all required information, or expiration of the time period for receipt of additional or corrected information. The notification will include the Department’s decision of approval or denial of the application.

(a) Notice of Intent to Issue Permit. The Department shall send the applicant a Proposed State Highway Access Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, incorporated by reference at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14641, effective 08/22, if either:

1. The Department determines that an application is consistent with Rule Chapters 14-96 and 14-97, F.A.C., and there is no need to exceed the minimum standards as stated in subsection 14-97.003(1), F.A.C.; or

2. The Department determines that an application is not consistent with Rule Chapters 14-96 and 14-97, F.A.C., but that denial of a connection would be denial of reasonable access and, in the Department’s sole discretion, the requested a connection would not jeopardize the safety of the public or have a negative impact upon the operational characteristics of the highway, consistent with Rule 14-96.007, F.A.C. Upon satisfactory completion of the conditions listed in the Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, only a non-conforming permit can be issued in accordance with Rule 14-96.009, F.A.C. Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, is available from the Department of Transportation’s One Stop Permitting internet site at (https://osp.fdot.gov) and may be completed and submitted electronically. A copy of this form is also available upon request from the office of the local area Maintenance Engineer, District Office, Urban Area Office, or Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 19, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450.

(b) Direct Permitting. If an applicant provides an application that otherwise meets all the requirements of Rule Chapters 14-96 and 14-97, F.A.C., and the Department is not imposing any additional conditions, the Department will issue a permit in accordance with subsection (6) below.

(c) Notice of Intent to Deny. The Department shall send the applicant Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Deny Permit, Form 850-040-23, incorporated by reference at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14640, effective 08/22, if the application is not consistent with currently adopted Department rules and design standards or additional site specific operations and safety concerns as stated in subsection 14-97.003(1), F.A.C., apply, and;

1. The Department determines that denial of a connection would not be a denial of reasonable access; or

2. The Department determines that denial of a connection would jeopardize the safety of the public or have a negative impact upon the operational characteristics of the highway. Notice of Intent to Deny Permit, Form 850-040-23, is available from the Department of Transportation’s One Stop Permitting internet site at (https://osp.fdot.gov) and may be completed and submitted electronically. A copy of this form is also available upon request from the office of the local area Maintenance Engineer, District Office, Urban Area Office, or Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 19, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450.

(d) Additional Connections. When an applicant seeks a permit for additional or alternative connection(s) the previously permitted connections are presumed to provide reasonable access to the State Highway System unless the property owner shows:

1. That there has been a change in the use of the property from that reflected in the application(s) for the previously approved connection(s), which change has or will cause an increase in the trip generation (peak hour or daily) of the property exceeding 25 percent more than reflected in the prior application(s), and that such change in use and increase in trip generation was not reasonably foreseeable at the time the application(s) for the previously approved connection(s) was filed; or

2. That circumstances relating to traffic safety and efficiency, outside the control of the permittee, have arisen that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time of approval of the connections that prevent the connection(s) from providing reasonable access to the highway.

(e) Agreements made after Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Deny Permit, Form 850-040-23, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(c), is issued. If an agreement is made between an applicant and the Department which will allow the Department to approve a connection, this agreement will not be effective nor supersede the Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Deny Permit, Form 850-040-23, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(c), unless it is in writing, executed by the applicant and the Department, and appropriate revisions are reflected on signed and sealed construction plans before the time period allowed for a denial challenge has expired. The agreement will completely describe the mutually agreed access plan and include construction plans signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Florida.

(5) Conditions of the Notice of Intent to Issue Permit. The Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a), shall set forth all conditions not otherwise required by this rule chapter for issuance of a permit and maintenance of the connection(s). The notice will specify which of the conditions set forth in the notice must be met before issuance of a permit and those that must be met after the permit is issued.

(a) Not a Permit. The Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragarph (4)(a), does not authorize the initiation of connection construction within the Department right of way but acknowledges completion of the Department review and indicates the Department’s intent to issue a permit upon compliance with the conditions stated in the Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a).

(b) Time Period. A Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a), is valid for one year and may not be revoked during that period, provided that no material change has occurred in the proposed development or traffic characteristics on the abutting State Highway System. The Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a), may be extended, upon Department approval, upon a showing of good cause by the applicant (such as weather delays, natural disasters, governmental entity coordination delays, or other technical problems not within the control of the applicant). A Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a), may be assigned to a purchaser or new occupant within one year of issuance if there is no change in the land use or in the site plan and the Department is notified of the reassignment by the original applicant.

(c) Standard Conditions. The following standard conditions will apply to all Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a), before a connection permit can be issued:

1. Development approval from the appropriate governmental entity consistent with the Proposed State Highway Access Driveway/Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a)

2. Assurance of performance pursuant to Section 334.187, F.S.

3. An indemnity agreement shall be executed by the applicant wherein it is agreed that the Department shall be indemnified, defended, and held harmless from any and all claims, demands, costs, or expense for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property of the other caused by, arising out of, or resulting from:

a. Any act or omission by the applicant or the applicant’s contractors, agents, servants, or employees in connection with any construction activities undertaken pursuant to the connection permit.

b. The negligence of the applicant or negligence of the applicant’s contractors, agents, servants, or employees.

c. Any other event or act that is the result of, or proximately caused by, the applicant or the applicant’s contractors, agents, servants, or employees in constructing or maintaining the connection or any other features.

4. Compliance with drainage requirements in Rule Chapter 14-86, F.A.C.

5. Special requirements added to promote safety and efficiency.

6. Liability Insurance for All Category C, D, E, F, and G Permits. Before construction is to begin, the applicant shall deliver to the Department proof of insurance verifying that the applicant or the applicant’s contractor has coverage under a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Florida naming itself as insured, and the Department as an additional named insured, which policy shall contain a contractual endorsement specifically covering the liabilities arising from the indemnity agreement.

a. The policy shall provide public liability insurance, including property damage, in the amount of $500,000 combined single limit for each occurrence.

b. The above required policy shall be endorsed with a provision requiring the insurance company to notify the Department 30 days prior to the effective date of cancellation or of any material change in the policy if the change occurs during the construction period.

c. The applicant shall pay all premiums and other charges due on said policy and keep said policy, or a materially identical replacement policy, in force to insure the entire period of construction of the connection.

7. Connection Median Changes and Traffic Signals. For all proposed driveway connection applications that either request or are required by the Department to install, modify, or remove a Traffic Control Feature that will have the effect of closing or modifying left turns to or from an owner of property abutting the State Highway System, the Applicant must provide the Department:

a. A list of the names and mailing addresses of all real property owners whose property lies in whole or in part within 300 feet of either side of the centerline of the proposed facility including all neighboring connections as described in subparagraph 14-96.005(4)(b)5., F.A.C., who have been provided a letter of notification.  If the property is leased to a residential tenant with exclusive use of the parcel or to a commercial tenant(s), the list will also include the name and mailing address of the tenant(s). 

b. A single copy of the letter of notification provided to the real property owners and listed tenants describing the proposed modification. The letter must include the name and address of the person to whom comments on the change can be sent and provide at least 30 days for receipt of the comments. 

c. Proof of delivery of the notification letter to all previously listed persons by mail, email, or hand delivery.

d. A copy of all correspondence received in response to the letter and other correspondence related to the permit provided within 10 days of receipt by the Applicant.

(6) Issuance of Permit. A Driveway Connection Permit for All Categories, Form 850-040-18, incorporated by reference at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14635, effective 08/22, will be issued after the applicant provides satisfactory evidence of compliance with all conditions that must be met before issuance of a permit. A Driveway Connection Permit for All Categories, Form 850-040-18, is available from the Department of Transportation’s One Stop Permitting internet site at (https://osp.fdot.gov) and may be completed and submitted electronically. A copy of this form is also available upon request from the office of the local area Maintenance Engineer, District Office, Urban Area Office, or Central Office at 605 Suwannee Street, Mail Station 19, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450. A permit shall be subject to all the conditions set forth in the Proposed State Highway Access Connection Notice of Intent to Issue Permit, Form 850-040-24, as incorporated by reference in paragraph (4)(a). A permit authorizes construction for one year from the date of issuance and expires if construction of the connection is not completed within that period.

(a) Failure to Comply. If the Department determines that the applicant has failed to comply with all conditions required prior to the issuance of a permit, it shall notify the applicant that the Department will not issue a permit and specify the conditions that have not been met. Notice of the Department’s intended action will be provided in accordance with Rule Chapter 28-106, F.A.C. The Department’s action will become final unless a timely petition for a hearing is filed in accordance with Rule Chapter 28-106, F.A.C. In order to be timely, the petition must be filed with the Department’s Clerk of Agency Proceedings within 21 days after receipt of the Department’s notice, in accordance with Rule Chapter 28-106, F.A.C.

(b) Permit Time Extension. The permit will be extended beyond the one year time limit (only with Department approval) for good cause, such as weather delays, natural disasters, governmental entity coordination delays, or other technical problems not within the control of the permittee.

(7) Concurrent Governmental Entity Review. Nothing contained herein shall preclude concurrent review of the permit application by the Department and governmental entities.

(8) Permit Conditions. Failure by the applicant to abide by the permit conditions that are applicable after permit issuance shall be just cause for the Department to order alteration of the connection, or to revoke the permit and close the connection at the expense of the applicant, subject to the provisions in this rule chapter, or for the Department to have the necessary modifications made and seek payment from the applicant. The permit requirements shall be binding on the applicant, the applicant’s successors, heir, and assigns, the permit application signatories, and all future owners and occupants of the property. The Department may require permits to be recorded in the public records with the legal description of the property when cross or joint access exists, when permit conditions requiring future performance by the permittee exist such as installation of traffic control features or devices, or when other conditions warrant recording.

(9) Government Owned Rail or Non-Highway Use Corridors. Corridors including separate pedestrian trails, bike trails, current or abandoned exclusive bus or transit corridors, current or abandoned rail corridors, or waterways, are not part of the State Highway System and are not subject to the provisions of the Access Management Act, Sections 335.18-.188, F.S. These corridors, that abut the state highway system, are considered intervening property and property on the other side of such a corridor will not be considered to be abutting the State Highway System. Action will be taken under Rule 14-96.011, F.A.C., to modify an existing connection across a corridor if it interferes with the safe or efficient operation of the corridor or State Highway System.

Rulemaking Authority 334.044(2), 334.187(4), 335.182(2), 335.184 FS. Law Implemented 334.044(14), 334.187, 335.181-.1825, 335.184, 335.185 FS. History– New 4-18-90, Amended 7-16-95, 6-24-99, 1-23-03, 12-28-03, 7-2-06, 4-2-23.