The definition in the BOE manual
BOE states that Excavation “U” Permits are issued to public utilities and telecommunication companies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California to install public utilities in the public right-of-way. Its purpose statement cites Los Angeles Municipal Code provisions governing excavations and above-ground facilities.
That wording ties the permit to the entity, the type of installation, and the location. A visible street cut, by itself, does not establish that a U-Permit is the appropriate classification. The City’s permit determination still depends on the actual scope and applicable requirements.
Who and what the manual describes
The BOE overview separates U-Permits into two primary categories: utility and telecommunication. Its examples of traditional or wet utilities include water, power, gas, and certain unstable substances. The telecommunications or dry-utility examples include phone, video, internet, and data-transmission cables.
The source does not describe a general-purpose excavation permit open to every property owner or contractor. It describes a specialized public-utility and telecommunications context. Teams should verify the applicant’s authority and the work location before treating the U-Permit path as applicable.
Where the public right-of-way matters
The public right-of-way is part of BOE’s purpose statement. The manual separately lists work on private property outside a City-dedicated easement and work within Caltrans right-of-way among cases where a City U-Permit is not required. Those examples show why location deserves its own review; they do not decide what other permission, if any, might apply.
For a useful first discussion, identify the proposed installation, entity involved, and exact work limits. Then compare those facts with the current BOE manual and seek the appropriate City classification where needed.
Information should be verified against current City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering requirements. This guide is informational and is not a permit determination.