Working within the Right-of-Way

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

Engineering Services issues the following permits:

  • Alley
  • Curb and Gutter
  • Drive Approach

    ◦ Saw Cutting of Curb (Required for when Standard Detail ST-25 Horizontally Saw Cut Standard Curb and Gutter Drive Approach(PDF, 216KB) is planned method of curb removal for installation of Drive Approach.)

  • Floodplain Development
  • Franchise Utility (various)
  • Pedestrian Facilities Curb Ramp
  • Retaining Wall
  • Sanitary Sewer System (various)
  • Sidewalk
  • Small Cell Infrastructure
  • Stormwater Drainage System
  • Street Opening/Cut
  • Water Distribution System (various)

Permit Fees

Per the Ordinance ORD-2021-557 passed on second reading August 17, 2021 amending Article III “Sidewalks, Curbs, Gutters, Driveways” in Chapter 22 of “Streets, Sidewalks and Certain Other Public Places” of the Code of Ordinances permit fees shall be doubled if work for which a permit is required under Article III is started prior to obtaining such permit effective October 1, 2021.

Service Fee
Reinspection of Permitted Items (per permitted item) $68.75
Inspection of Curb, Gutter and Drive Approach
One (1) Drive Approach $168.75
One (1) Drive Approach with up to 50' curb & gutter and/or sidewalk $225
Saw Cutting of Curb for One (1) Drive Approach (Required for when Standard Detail ST-25 Horizontally Saw Cut Standard Curb and Gutter Drive Approach is planned method of curb removal for installation of Drive Approach.) $68.75
Two (2) Drive Approaches on the same lot $206.25
Two (2) Drive Approaches on the same lot with up to 50ft. curb & gutter and/or sidewalk $250
Saw Cutting of Curb for Two (2) Drive Approaches on the same lot (Required for when Standard Detail ST-25 Horizontally Saw Cut Standard Curb and Gutter Drive Approach is planned method of curb removal for installation of Drive Approaches.) $106.25
Curb and Gutter Only up to 50' $137.50
Each Additional 50' or less of Curb & Gutter (per additional 50' or less increment) $50
Sidewalks - up to 50' $150
Sidewalks - up to 50': each additional 50' or less increment of sidewalk $50
Pedestrian Facilities Curb Ramp (per ramp) $437.50
Retaining Wall up to every 100 sq. ft. $268.75
Retaining Wall up to every 100 sq. ft. - each additional 100 sq. ft. or less increment of continuous retaining wall $93.75
Alley Permit up to 50' $268.75
Each additional 50' or less increment of alley $106.25
Street Opening Permits: street or paved alley opening/repair (per permit) $381.25
Stormwater Drainage System: curb inlet (each) $337.50
Stormwater Drain Junction/Inlet placement (each) $337.50
Stormwater Drain Pipe/Box every 50' or less increment $150
Sanitary Sewer System: sanitary sewer pipe every 50' or less increment $150
Sanitary sewer manhole connection (existing manhole) (each) $181.25
Sanitary sewer manhole placement in the pavement (each) $312.50
Water Distribution System: water line every 50' or less increment $150
Water Distribution System: water tap under pavement (each) $300
Water Distribution System: cut in tee for water line not under pavement (each) $843.75
Water Distribution System: cut in tee for water line under pavement (each) $843.75
Fire Hydrant (each) $168.75
Overtime inspection (nighttime in range of 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., Saturday, Sunday or Holiday requires 72-hour advance email request for consideration)
Overtime inspection: less than or equal to four (4) hours $337.50
Overtime inspection: greater than four (4) hours $675
Floodplain Development Permit Preliminary (per permit) $60.50
Floodplain Development Permit Secondary (per permit) $363
Subdivision Plan Review and Construction Inspection (percentage of est. cost of construction) 4%
Right of Way License Agreement: existing right-of-way use license agreement annual increase in fee for linear ft. of each cable 5%
Right of Way License Agreement: right-of-way use license agreement fee for linear foot of each cable initial cost $1.95
Right of Way License Agreement: review and inspection of right-of-way use license agreement cable (every 100 ft.) $31.25
Small Cell Infrastructure applications fees: network node (on each application) $550
Small Cell Infrastructure applications fees: node support pole (per application for each pole) $1100
Small Cell Infrastructure applications fees: transport facility (network nodes are allowed on each permit) $550
Annual Public Rights-of-Ways Use Rates: network node (per network node site) $27.50
Annual Public Rights-of-Ways Use Rates: transport facility $30.80

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. Contractor / Cement Bonded Residential Property Owner submits plans to ROW-Permits@wacotx.gov for plan review. The email should include, date and time stamped photograph(s) showing the full area of the right-of-way of the proposed work, the address for the project, plans with dimensions including distance from the property line and/or adjacent streets, and the contact information for the bonded contractor.
  2. Development Engineer determines type of permit needed (cement permit or street opening permit); distributes approved plans and a summary of quantities to Engineering Administrative Assistant for invoicing and the Right-of-Way Engineering Inspector.
  3. Contractor / Cement Bonded Property Owner will obtain the right-of-way permit and an invoice for payment from the Engineering Administrative Assistant.
  4. Contractor / Cement Bonded Property Owner makes payments through the Inspection Services Department..
  5. Engineering Administrative Assistant issues right-of-way permit.
  6. Contractor / Cement Bonded Property Owner is to contact 24 hours in advance of construction the Right-of-Way Engineering Inspector for the inspection.

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.

Expedited process for routine maintenance or repetitive small scale work such as leak repairs.

  1. Utility submits permit request forms via email to ROW-Permits@wacotx.gov
  2. Development Engineer reviews request and issues permit for locations listed on request.
  3. Utility notifies Right-of-Way Engineering Inspector 24 hrs before beginning work.
  4. Right-of-Way Engineering inspects backfill before surface replacement is performed.

Construction within Right-of-Way that does not meet the requirements of the expedited process.

  1. Utility submits permit request and plans to ROW-Permits@wacotx.gov in accordance with ordinance.
  2. Development Engineer reviews plans and issues permit.
  3. Utility contacts Right-of-Way Engineering Inspector 24 hrs before beginning work.

Emergencies — An emergency as defined by City Ordinance.

  1. Utility contacts City Engineer or Engineering Inspections Supervisor before performing any work or as soon as practical after beginning work.
  2. Utility is still responsible for submitting a written permit request to ROW-Permits@wacotx.gov.
  3. After plan is accepted Public Works Department will issue permit.

FAQs

What is the right-of-way?

The right of way includes all paved surface plus the curb and gutter plus some distance behind the curb. The width of right of way behind the curb varies. A public map is available online.

When is a right-of-way permit required?

If the proposed work falls within the City of Waco right-of-way, a permit is always required.

***A “Building Permit” does not cover any work to be done in the right-of-way (driveways, sidewalks, curb & gutter, alleys, etcetera.)***

Which right-of-way permit is required and who can get the permit?
  • Cement Permit - (residential or commercial) for any concrete work to be performed within the right-of-way. This permit can only be issued to a contractor or property owner that is bonded with the city.
  • Street Opening Permit - for all excavation and/or installation of utility appurtenances within the right-of-way. This permit will be issued to the contractor that will be performing the work.
What is required to get a right-of-way permit?

For a Cement Permit only, the contractor or property owner must have a City of Waco Cement Bond on file. All permits, plans or drawings approved by the City of Waco Development Engineer is required.

***A Traffic Control Plan shall be required for any obstruction of the flow of traffic on collector or arterial streets and for any traffic lane closures which obstruct the flow of traffic for longer than four hours at a time on local streets. Traffic Control Plans shall be prepared and submitted. Review and approval can take up to 15 calendar days***

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