An applicant may obtain a Utility Occupancy License (Wire or Pipeline) through a formal application process. To initiate the process the applicant must fully complete the application form provided in the link below. Incomplete applications which do not include railroad milepost information or railroad subdivision information will be rejected immediately. The completed application and a non-refundable $1,000 Application Fee,  a non-refundable $1,500 Engineering Review Fee via check or money order made payable to RailAmerica, Inc. is required for processing. It is recommended that a Right of Entry application be submitted concurrently with the application for Utility Occupancy License.

Upon receipt of the application and fees, the real estate team will review the package for approval. Application does not guarantee approval. If the application is approved, a Utility License agreement will be drafted and forwarded to the applicant for signature. The partially executed agreement must be returned to the Real Estate Department accompanied by the first year rental payment, deposit, and relevant proof of insurance (outlined in the agreement) prior to execution on behalf of the railroad.

Once a Utility Occupancy License Agreement is executed, a Right of Entry permit must be secured to enter onto railroad property. A Right of Entry (ROE) or Contractor Occupancy/Access Agreement is a separate application and requires the submission of a non-refundable $1,500 fee (due when utility application submitted) for a sixty (60) day term.

For "standard processing", the entire process takes between 4-8 weeks.  "Expedited processing" will reduce the processing time to between 1-2 weeks and costs an additional $1,750.

For questions regarding utility occupancy licenses, call Donna Killingsworth at 904-538-6365.