The Traffic Operations and Permits Division is responsible for investigating and responding to citizen complaints and requests regarding all regulatory, warning, parking, and street name signs on County roads and City of Rochester streets; the fabrication and installation of signs on County roads and City streets; the installation of pavement markings on all County roads and select City streets and Town roads, which are reimbursed by the authorizing municipality; plan review and traffic impact report (TIR) review and approval for developments on County roads and City streets; and issuing permits for work performed in the County right-of-way and associated field inspections.

This Division represents the Director of Transportation on the City of Rochester’s Traffic Control Board. Other Division responsibilities include the review and coordination of traffic features (signs and pavement markings) for all City of Rochester street projects.

This Division includes four (4) Sections:

• Traffic Investigations Section
• Sign Fabrication and Installation Section
• Pavement Markings Section
• Highway Permits Section

Traffic Investigations Section

The Traffic Investigations Section reviews, collects, and updates traffic information to ensure appropriate traffic control devices are in place on City streets and County roads. This includes investigating and responding to citizen complaints and requests regarding all regulatory, warning, parking, and street name signs on County roads and City streets.  This Section is also responsible for coordinating the review of City residential street improvement projects and processing all regulatory traffic control device changes on City streets and County roads.

Sign Fabrication and Installation Section

The Sign Fabrication and Installation Section manufactures, installs, and maintains all traffic signs on County roads and City streets, and for Towns, Villages and other County departments upon request. This includes approximately 85,000 signs, not including parking signs within the City. Through the County’s in-house Sign Shop, revenue is received for fabricating and installing signs for other County departments such as the Airport, County Clerk, County Legislature, Parks, County facilities, and also for Towns and Villages.

MCDOT is working on a multi-year Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity Program on County Roads and City Streets in order to comply with Federal sign standards mandated by the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), in addition to the New York State Supplement to the MUTCD. 

The MUTCD has stringent requirements for traffic signs, including but not limited to letter sizes, retroreflectivity, and installation locations. Therefore, we have a multi-year capital program to upgrade regulatory, warning, and street name signs as necessary to maintain compliance with these requirements.

Pavement Markings Section

The Pavement Markings Section installs and maintains pavement markings required to maintain lane delineation, passing zones, stop bars, crosswalks, and railroad crossing symbols on County roads, City streets, and Town roads, as well as airport runways and taxiways. Pavement markings installed on City streets and Town roads are reimbursed by the authorizing municipality. Pavement markings typically need to be re-applied every one to six years depending on traffic volumes, condition of the road, and the materials used for the markings.

Highway Permits Section

The Highway Permits Section issues and inspects permits for all new development in the County right-of-way to ensure a safe and efficient roadway system, while allowing for economic and community growth. This Section conducts design reviews of proposed highway developments, issues highway permits, inspects the work performed by permittees, maintains records, collects permit fees, and ensures contractor conformance with County requirements. This Section is also responsible for the review of all City site plans that necessitate a traffic engineering review.

Highway Permit Guidelines and Forms

The Monroe County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Highway Access Guidelines have been prepared to assist and guide residents and developers (or their representatives) through the permit review, issuance, and inspection phases of the highway permit process. These requirements and policies must be complied with at all times in connection with residential and commercial development within Monroe County. The Highway Access Guidelines and permit forms are linked below. For a copy of an annual permit or to request additional forms, please call the Permits Office at 585-753-7710.

• Highway Access Guidelines (PDF)
• 136 Highway Permit (PDF) — Permit under section 136 Highway Law.
• 136 Permit - Utility Prevailing Wage Form
• 239-F Permit (PDF) — Includes Building Consent Request, General Municipal Law.
• Application for Special Hauling Permit (PDF)
• Permit Fee Worksheet (PDF)
• Proof of Insurance — Summary of vendor insurance requirements.
• Procedures and Special Conditions for Installation of Artwork on Traffic Signal Cabinets (PDF)
• Temporary Public Memorials in the Monroe County Right-of-Way (PDF)
• Driveway Culvert & Piping Installation Certification (PDF)

Municipal Sidewalk Funding Application

This application may be used by municipalities in Monroe County to request partial funding for the installation of sidewalks along County Roads that will be designed, constructed, and maintained by local municipalities.  Fully completed applications (electronic submissions preferred) and concept plans should be submitted to MCDOT c/o of Tim Harris. A link to the application is below:

• Municipal Sidewalk Funding Application (PDF) Word Version (DOCX)

Parade Permits

When a County road is to be closed or used for an event such as a parade or race (foot, bicycle, etc.), a Parade Permit is required from MCDOT, and an approval letter (not an actual 136 highway permit) will be issued. Please call 585-753-7710 or email [email protected].

The following information must be provided:

1. Name of event and purpose for closure.

2. Name of organization and individual (including title), along with mailing address.

3. Date and start/end times of event.

4. Complete route of the event, including start/end points. Indicate limits of each County road that will be impacted. Links to Highway Map and Highway System Listing are on MCDOT’s home page (under Mission Statement): https://www.monroecounty.gov/dot

5. Indicate if a road closure is requested, or if the event will use the road with the road remaining open to traffic. Road usages must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the event. Full closures and usages that impact multiple municipalities will require additional review, and must be submitted at least 6 weeks before event.

6. Indicate who will be providing traffic control, such as a police agency (be specific) or a Town DPW.

7. Include a map of the route and any literature/pamphlets for the event.