Georgetown Building Inspections

Right-of-Way (ROW) Permits

A permit is required for construction or maintenance work or storage in a street right-of-way (ROW) within the City Limits of Georgetown.

BENEFITS:

  • Safe work zones for workers and for traveling public
  • Quality repairs to pavement surface to protect life of City’s asset and minimize cost to maintain
  • Ability to inspect work sites and ensure safety, quality, and impact
  • Emergency contact and responsiveness in case of an accident or emergency

PROCESS:

  1. Calls/inquires/inspection requests/emergency repairs:
  2. Can be done in person
  3. Will create “on-line” process via www.mgoconnect.org
  4. City website / portal (This Page)

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Process time: up to 14 calendar days.
  • Address checker: Click here to use the interactive maps tool.
  • Contractors are required to register: Click here to register.
  • Cost of permit: The fee schedule can be found at ROWpermits@georgetown.org and is attached as Appendix A
  • All permits are required to be submitted electronically.
  • If you need to check status of a permit, please email  ROWpermits@georgetown.org with the application number and address. Please allow 7 business days for processing due to high volume of applications being submitted. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

FAQ:

  1. When is a City of Georgetown Right-of-way (ROW) Permit needed?

When any person or entity is looking to perform any work such as construction, maintenance, storage or any other activity within the public right-of-way of any given roadway within the corporate limits of the City of Georgetown must obtain a Right-of-way Permit before work can begin.  This is not limited to just the area between the curbs or open ditches but also the undeveloped portions of the right of way outside of the roadway surface.

  1. What is the public right-of-way?

Right-of-way shall mean any public right-of-way within the city limits of the City of Georgetown, including but not limited to any street, sidewalk, trail, alley, or public utility easement within the jurisdiction of the City, and shall include all of the space above, under, and upon the surface of the public right-of-way.

  1. Who can I contact to see if a Right-of-way Permit is needed?

 Any person or entity can submit questions to the following:

  • ROW Permit Line – 512-930-2515 (can leave a message if not answered)
  • Email at ROWpermits@georgetown.org
  • Responses to inquiries will be provided within 24 hours.
  1. How do I apply for a ROW Permit?
  • Applications and supporting material can be submitted in person at the Georgetown Municipal Complex located at 300-1 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626.
  • Application and supporting material can be submitted by email at ROWpermits@georgetown.org
  • Through the on-line portal on the City of Georgetown’s web site  https://permits.georgetown.org/miscellaneous-permits/
  1. Why is a ROW Permit necessary?
  • It allows the City to better understand who is performing construction, maintenance and storage activities within the public ROW.
  • Provide for safe work zones for those performing the work and for the traveling public. To ensure that proper traffic control is being utilized
  • If a contractor needs to perform a saw cut or excavate on a road or in the right-of-way, the ROW Permit will allow for quality repairs to be made to the protect the life of the City’s asset and minimize the cost to maintain.
  • Provide for City inspections of the work sites to ensure safety, quality of repairs and impact to the traffic.
  1. What type of work requires a ROW Permit?
  • Installation or reconstruction of handicap accessibility ramps
  • Installation/maintenance/removal of a utility line
  • Attachments to existing utility poles and/or service poles
  • Install/maintenance/removal of a sidewalk
  1. When is a ROW Permit not required?
  • New residential driveways that are related to new home construction
  • Repairing / replacing existing residential driveways
  • Work within the ROW related to City approved commercial and residential development plans.
  • Or in consultation with the director of public works and/or designee
  1. What is required to submit an ROW Permit application?

A completed application is required and included the following:

  • A filled out City of Georgetown ROW Permit Application
  • Start date and ending date of proposed work
  • A location map that shows where the work will be conducted
  • A detailed site map showing the specific area of work that must include dimensions, location of utilities (if applicable), location of any trees and any other objects that may be impacted by the work to be performed.
  • Traffic control plan (TCP)
  • Insurance and bonding (see Appendix C)
  • The director and /or designee has the ability to require additional information if needed or to reduce the submittal requirements based on the scale and scope of the work to be performed.
  • Once a permit has been issued, the contractor must provide 2 days notice (48-hours) prior to work beginning if work is non-emergency related. 
  1. What is a Traffic Control Plan (TCP)?

A TCP describes traffic controls to be used for helping all modes of traffic through a work zone.  All TCPs must be in accordance with the most current version of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the City of Georgetown, Ordinances. 

  1. What are the options for a TCP?

Depending on the scale and scope of the proposed activities within the ROW the following are acceptable options for a TCP.  The director and/or designee have the authority to require additional information if needed:

  • Engineered TCPs: TCPs designed by an engineer which must then be approved/stamped by a ROW TCP reviewer
  • Special details: Preapproved TCPs that must be sealed by an engineer
  • Standard details: Preapproved TCPs already sealed by an engineer and provided by the City of Georgetown
  1. How long does it take to process a ROW Permit?

Once a completed application has been submitted and accepted, the standard process is a 14-day review period.  However, depending on the scale and scope of the work, a full 14-day review period may not be needed.

  1. How long is a ROW Permit valid? 
  • For maintenance and construction activities, a ROW Permit has an effective date of 90 days unless the director and/or designee requires a shorter timeline based on the scale, scope and location of the activities.
  • For the location of a dumpster or roll-off container for work that is not associated with a City of Georgetown building permit, the effective date shall be 7 calendar days from date of issuance.
  • For the placement of a dumpster that is related to a valid City of Georgetown building permit, then the effective date shall be 30 calendar days from date of issuance.
  • For the placement of a storage unit or container within the ROW of a local or neighborhood street, the effective date shall be 7 calendar days from date of issuance. The placement of a storage unit or container is not permitted on any collector or arterial street as defined by the City of Georgetown’s Overall Transportation Plan (OTP). 
  1. Is there a fee associated with the permit application?

Yes.  The fee schedule can be found at ROWpermits@georgetown.org and is attached as Appendix A. 

  1. Are there fines associated for work in the ROW without a permit?

Yes.  The fine schedule can be found at ROWpermits@georgetown.org and is attached as Appendix B.

  1. Who can approve or deny a ROW Permit application?

The director of public works and/or designee.

  1. Does tree trimming require a ROW permit?

Yes, if the trees are overhanging or located with a public ROW and need to be trimmed.  The City’s urban forester shall be notified in advance of any planned trimming of trees within a right-of-way.  Additionally, no protected or heritage tree shall be trimmed except in accordance with the requirements of the City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance, Section 8.02 of the Unified Development Code of the City of Georgetown.  The director shall identify on the permit any additional tree protection measures required as a condition of the issuance of the permit.

  1. What about emergency repairs?

Emergency repairs can be conducted without a ROW Permit, however notification shall be provided to the director and/or designee as soon as possible.  A person or entity can contact the ROW Permit line at 512-930-2515 to leave a message or can provide an email notification at ROWpermits@georgetown.org

  1. Are inspections required?

Prior to completion of the work, an inspection must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.

  1. If a permit application is denied or revoked is there an appeal process?

Yes.  Any applicant for a permit and any permit holder may appeal to the city manager in writing any decision by the director.  The city manager, or their designee, shall conduct an administrative hearing and render a decision on such appeal based upon substantial evidence and in a competitively neutral manner. The decision shall be made in writing within fourteen (14) calendar days following the City’s receipt of the written appeal.

  1. When can work within the ROW be conducted?

Work hours are limited to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, on local streets. On arterial and collector streets, permitted daytime work shall be performed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise permitted. Permitted nighttime work on arterial and collector streets shall begin no earlier than 7:00 p.m. and end by 6:00 a.m. on the following day. No work is permitted on Saturday, Sunday or designated holiday without prior approval of the director.

  1. What is the time period for having the repairs completed?

All repairs shall cause the right-of-way to be returned to a condition equal to or better than the condition prior to the work within seven (7) calendar days of the work being substantially complete, unless the permit holder receives written approval for an extended date from the director. Site restoration may include final street and sidewalk sweeping, vegetation and landscape restoration, pavement striping, utility locating paint and flag removal, and removal of erosion and siltation controls. The work is substantially complete when the major items of work on a permit, such as the repair or installation of a structure or utility, are complete as evidenced by opening the street to traffic and removing materials, equipment and/or traffic controls.

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