Allentown Street Lights, Storm Drains & Pole Attach FAQ

Utilities and Infrastructure Pennsylvania 4 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of Pennsylvania

Allentown, Pennsylvania property owners, contractors and residents commonly ask who controls street lights, storm drains and attachments to utility poles in the public right-of-way. This guide summarizes the city departments, typical permit paths, where to report outages or blocked storm drains, and what the municipal code and Public Works pages say about enforcement and penalties. It is written for people needing to apply, complain, or appeal official actions in Allentown.

Who is responsible?

The City of Allentown Public Works Department manages city-owned street lights, stormwater infrastructure and right-of-way permits; some street lights and utility poles remain under third-party utilities and require coordination with those companies. For municipal code authority and definitions see the City of Allentown Code of Ordinances.[1]

Street lights and pole attachments

City-owned street lights are operated by Public Works; requests for new lights, repairs, or for private attachments to poles (communications equipment, banners, cameras) normally require a right-of-way permit and coordination with the pole owner. Where poles are owned by utilities, attachments are governed by the pole owner’s terms and any franchise or right-of-way agreements the city maintains. Verify ownership before installing attachments and obtain written approval or permit when required.[3]

Always confirm pole ownership with Public Works before any attachment.

Storm drains and stormwater

Storm drains, inlets and the city stormwater network are maintained by the Public Works or Stormwater operations unit; reporting clogged inlets or illicit discharges should be done through the Stormwater page and the city reporting channels.[2]

Report blocked drains promptly to reduce flood and pollution risk.

Penalties & Enforcement

The municipal code and departmental pages set the enforcement framework for right-of-way violations, illegal attachments, and stormwater infractions. Specific monetary fines, escalation details and many fee figures are not always reproduced on summary pages; where a precise amount or schedule is not published on the cited official page, this text states that fact and points to the source.

  • Fines: exact dollar amounts for street-right-of-way, unauthorized pole attachments or illicit stormwater discharges are not specified on the cited municipal summary pages; consult the City Code and permit pages for any published schedules.[1]
  • Escalation: whether first, repeat or continuing offences carry stepped fines or daily penalties is not specified on the cited summary pages; see the City Code for any multi-day or per-day penalties.[1]
  • Enforcer: primary enforcement is by the City of Allentown Public Works and Code Enforcement divisions; complaints and inspections are handled through Public Works operational teams or the city complaint portal.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: typical remedies include stop-work orders, removal orders for unauthorized attachments, corrective orders to remedy illicit discharges, and referral to municipal court where required.
  • Reporting: report outages, illegal attachments, or stormwater concerns via the Public Works contact or the Stormwater reporting page; emergencies should be reported by phone as instructed on the official pages.[2]
  • Appeals and time limits: appeal or request review procedures, and any appeal deadlines, are governed by the municipal code or permit terms; specific appeal time limits are not specified on the cited summary pages and should be confirmed with the enforcing office.[1]

Applications & Forms

Right-of-way and pole-attachment applications, permits and any required bonds or insurance requirements are processed by Public Works permitting. The city publishes permit instructions and application forms on its permits page; specific fees and form numbers may be listed there or directly on the permit application. If a particular form number or fee schedule is not shown, it is not specified on the cited page and applicants should contact the permitting office for current rates and submission steps.[3]

Always attach evidence of pole ownership and insurance when applying for an attachment permit.

Action steps — immediate and practical

  • Report outages or hazards to Public Works via the official contact page; use emergency numbers for immediate danger.
  • Before any work, confirm pole ownership and secure a right-of-way permit if the work is in the public way.
  • File permit applications early — allow time for utility coordination and any necessary inspections.
  • If you receive a notice or citation, follow appeal steps quickly and check the cited municipal code section for appeal deadlines.

FAQ

Who fixes a broken street light?
The City of Allentown Public Works fixes city-owned street lights; if a pole or fixture is utility-owned, the utility is responsible. Check ownership with Public Works first.
How do I report a clogged storm drain?
Report clogged inlets or suspected illicit discharges using the city Stormwater reporting page or the Public Works contact channels listed below.
Do I need a permit to attach equipment to a utility pole?
Yes — attachments in the public right-of-way typically require a right-of-way or pole-attachment permit and the pole owner’s written consent; check Public Works permit requirements.
What happens if someone attaches equipment without permission?
Unauthorized attachments may be ordered removed and could incur fines or other enforcement actions as provided by the City Code or permit conditions; specific fines should be checked in the code and permit materials.

How-To

  1. Confirm pole ownership: contact Public Works and request ownership information or documentation.
  2. Obtain permits: submit a right-of-way or pole-attachment permit application with required plans, insurance, and approvals from the pole owner.
  3. Coordinate inspections: schedule any required inspections through Public Works and comply with conditional requirements.
  4. Complete installation and close permit: after inspection and correction of any deficiencies, receive final sign-off and retain records of approvals.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm ownership and permits before any work in the right-of-way.
  • Report stormwater and lighting problems to Public Works promptly.
  • Enforcement is managed by Public Works and Code Enforcement; check the City Code for legal details.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Allentown Code of Ordinances (Municode)
  2. [2] City of Allentown Stormwater - Public Works
  3. [3] Public Works Permits - City of Allentown

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