Working within the Right-of-Way

A Right-of-Way (ROW) Permit is required for all concrete and utility work within the City of Waco’s ROW, utility easements, or for any connections to city infrastructure.

Please Note:

  • Building permits do not cover concrete or utility work in the ROW.
  • Permit applications and their required documentation will be reviewed by city staff for acceptance.

Right-of-Way permits are needed for work on:

  • All paved surfaces
  • Alley
  • Curb and gutter
  • Drive approach
  • Floodplain development
  • Franchise utility (various)
  • Pedestrian facilities
  • Retaining wall
  • Sanitary sewer system (various)
  • Sidewalk
  • Small cell infrastructure
  • Stormwater drainage system
  • Street opening/cut
  • Traffic Control Plan (TCP)
  • Water distribution system (various)

View ROW boundaries on the Public Map.

Permit Requirements

Permits and approved plans are required for any construction in the City’s right-of-way.

Permit Fees

Per City Council Resolution RES-2024-632 passed on August 27, 2024, the City Council revised the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 operating budget fee schedule with respect to certain fees for Infrastructure Services – Engineering Services, Traffic Services, and Municipal Drainage Fund, all effective September 1, 2024, for the purpose of complying with revisions to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 per House Bill 3492 of the 88th Legislative Regular Session.

Site Grading & Drainage

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
2 Clearing & Grubbing (Entire Site) Acre 132.94
3 Rough Grading (Entire Site) CY 0.14
4 Finished Grading (Row & Easements) Acre 487.45

Sanitary Sewer

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
5 Existing Manhole Connection EA 418.78
6 New Manhole EA 662.51
7 Deep Manhole (Depth > 10ft) EA 1060.60
8 Gravity Pipe (Diameter < 10in) LF 2.11
9 Gravity Pipe (Diameter > 10in) LF 2.66
10 Deep Gravity Pipe (Depth > 10ft) LF 3.66
11 Cleanout Box EA 132.94
12 Residential Service EA 155.10
13 Commercial Service EA 199.41
14 Deep Service EA 197.64
15 Force Main LF 2.51
16 Pipe Abandonment LF 5.32
17 Lift Station EA 11,344.34
18 Street Cut/Opening SF 5.32

Storm Drain

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
19 Inlet Structure EA 485.25
20 Junction Structure/Manhole EA 662.51
21 Deep Junction Structure/Manhole (Depth > 10ft) EA 1415.11
22 Pipe LF 2.66
23 Deep Pipe (Depth > 10ft) FL 3.66
24 Unlined Channel SY 3.54
25 Concrete Channel SY 4.44
26 End Structure (Up to 36in Culvert) EA 265.88
27 Street Cut/Opening SF 5.32

Water

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
28 Fire Hydrant EA 598.24
29 Thrust Block EA 155.10
30 Ring Connection EA 1728.24
31 Main Tie-In to Existing Distribution EA 1595.30
32 Gate Valve & Box EA 420.98
33 Residential Connection EA 155.10
34 Bullhead Connection, Residential EA 155.10
35 Bullhead Connection, Commercial EA 288.04
36 Commercial/Large Residential Service EA 288.04
37 Meter Vault EA 243.73
38 Check Valve Vault EA 243.73
39 ARV EA 221.57
40 PRV EA 221.57
41 Automatic Flushing Valve EA 221.57
42 Blow Off Assembly EA 221.57
43 Bores LF 61.45
44 Pipe Encasement LF 8.86
45 Distribution Cut In Tee EA 1595.30
46 Pipe, 10in Dia and Less LF 1.77
47 Pipe, More than 10in Dia LF 2.66
48 Deep Pipe, More than 10ft LF 3.66
49 Street Cut Opening SF 5.32
50 Deep Street Cut/Opening, 10ft + SF 6.21

Parkway Improvements

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
51 Sidewalk SF 0.95
52 Pedestrian Ramp EA 376.67
53 Concrete Flatwork CY 70.91
54 Structural Concrete CY 203.85
55 Sidewalk Scuppers EA 531.77

Streets

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
56 Alley SY 1.33
57 Median SY 0.95
58 Curb & Gutter LF 1.92
59 Valley Gutter & Fillet LF 8.86
60 Residential Drive Approach EA 354.51
61 Commercial Drive Approach EA 443.14
62 Concrete Pavement, Non-Collector SY 1.13
63 Concrete Pavement, Collector/Above SY 1.33
64 Asphalt Pavement, Non-Collector SY 1.01
65 Asphalt Pavement, Collector/Above SY 1.20
66 Base Failure Repairs SY 2.66
67 Concrete Street or Alley Cut Repairs SY 44.31
68 Asphalt Street or Alley Cut Repairs SY 39.88
69 Mow Strips LF 2.66
70 Steel Plate WK 177.26

Traffic

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
71 Traffic Signal, Poles EA 1506.67
72 Street Lighting EA 886.28
73 Street Signs EA 44.31
74 Striping Plan EA 1.77

Administrative Processing & Misc Services

No. Item Unit Inspection Fee Rate
($/Unit)
A1 Subdivision Permit EA 510.03
A2 Row Permit EA 55.53
A4 Preconstruction Meeting EA 343.65
A5 Hourly Inspection HR 88.63
A7 Overtime Inspection (4hr Minimum/1.5x Base Rate) HR 132.94
A9 Final Job Walk EA 253.68

In case any work for which a permit is started prior to obtaining such a permit, the fee above-specified shall be doubled

Steps to Acquire a Right-of-Way Permit

  1. Submit plans to the Citizen Self Service Portal for review.
  2. Following approval, an invoice will be issued.
  3. Following payment of the invoice, an active permit will be issued.

Franchise Utilities

Plan Requirements for Franchise Utilities Right-of-Way Permits per Code of Ordinances Sec. 23-22. Same—Location and placement.

  1. For 4-inch and smaller franchise utility line note of a 3-foot horizontal separation distance from outside to outside existing water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater facilities is sufficient.
  2. For 6-inch and greater franchise utility line need to show the existing water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater facilities in the plan view and maintain the 3-foot horizontal separation from outside to outside. Need to show in the profile view maintaining a minimum of 6-inch vertical separation from outside to outside when crossing any existing facility. 

In the case of an emergency as defined by City Ordinance:

  1. Notify Mike Norman mnorman@wacotx.gov or Curtis Bell curtisb@wacotx.gov prior to performing any work.
  2. Note: In this instance, a Right-of-Way permit is still required. Refer to "Steps to Acquire a ROW Permit"