Permits and Right of Way Regulations
Application for Right of Way Permits
Please read the information below before applying for your right-of-way permit.
What is the Right of Way?
The right of way (ROW) is land controlled by public agencies that includes streets, alleys, public sidewalks, curbs, and the shoulder/greenbelt, which is the area between the curb and the sidewalk. Work within the City’s Right of Way is managed by the City’s Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW).
When is a Right of Way Permit required?
Pursuant to Section 43, Division 2 of the Detroit Code, a permit from the City Engineering Division, DPW is required prior to any construction activity within a street, alley, sidewalk, or shoulder/landscape. This includes
- Construction: right-of-way alteration (e.g., installation of utilities such as water mains, gas lines, telecommunications lines, etc., installation of water or sewer faucets, replacement of sidewalks, driveways, etc.) etc.)
- Occupancy: temporary sidewalk/lane/street closures (e.g., cranes/construction equipment on street/sidewalk, filming, special events, dumpsters, etc.)
- Oversized and/or overweight loads
Types of right-of-way permits:
- Facade repair
- fiber optic cable
- outdoor cafe
- oversized loads
- Sidewalk replacement (contractor or professional)
- Utility Installation: Conduit/Coaxial Cable
- Utility Facility – Major Installation or Repair
- Valet Staging – Temporal
- Valet Staging – Anual
- Water and/or sewage tap
- Occupying the Right of Way
- Barricade
- curb cut
- Approximation, extraction and replacement of the unit
- Dumpster
- helicopter lift
- Well monitoring
- Sidewalk replacement (owner)
- snow removal
- soil drilling
- vehicle display
- Invasion
How do I obtain a Right of Way Permit?
A permit application must be completed by any person or company planning construction activities to alter the right of way, this includes installing or removing a driveway. This consists of completing the permit application and presenting the plans or drawings of the work within the right of way.
Introduction to City of Detroit Online Permit Applications
Specs:
The City’s Engineering Division – DPW provides the “Standard Specifications for Paving and Related Construction” and “Standard Plans for Streets and Alleys” on the City’s website at www.detroitmi.gov. Construction work must meet the specifications in this manual.
Right of way Flat work:
All concrete streets, alleys, sidewalks and driveways constructed by a contractor shall have the name of the contractor and the year the pavement was laid carefully and clearly etched into the concrete surface of each final slab as directed. the engineer. The stamp or plate used for marking should have an approximate outside dimension of 4” x 6”. The seal will be considered incidental to the cost of construction. Concrete may NOT be placed in the City of Detroit right-of-way without showing the stamp to the Inspector on site.
Invasions:
Placement of obstructions by a private property owner on, above, or below public rights-of-way (including public alleys) may require City Council resolution/approval and separate “trespassing” permits. Questions regarding “trespassing” should be directed to the City’s Engineering Division – DPW, Office of Maps and Records.
Central Business District:
All contractors working in the central business district (the area bordered by the Detroit River to the south, Lodge Expressway to the west, I-75 Fischer Expressway to the north, and I-375 Chrysler Expressway to the east (E) must first file a set of plans to Traffic Engineering (2633 Michigan Avenue, Prasad Nannapaneni) who will take the plans and present them to the Technical Review Committee (TRC). This committee will review the Right of Way permit application, traffic congestion, consider emergency vehicle access, downtown events, parking, etc. The Technical Review Committee (TRC) meets weekly on Tuesdays Contractors must allow time in the permitting process for applications/plans to permits are approved by the TRC A permit to work within the Central Business District will NOT be issued until the TRC approves the plans.
Transportation of people:
All contractors working within fifty feet (50′) of the Detroit People Mover MUST obtain a permit/approval from the Detroit People Mover, 535 Griswold, Suite 400, Detroit, Michigan 48226, (313) 224-2160.
Note: All contractors must be bonded on a $2,500 Surety Bond with the City of Detroit. This bond must be completed before any work is done on the right of way.
Additionally, in an effort to protect the City’s investments in its infrastructure, a directive has been issued updating the requirements for pavement restoration due to highway utility outages. Select this link to download the Utility Restoration Standard Detail.
What is the plan review process?
Prior to issuing a permit, the City’s Engineering Division must review the work plans or drawings to ensure compliance with City of Detroit Rules, Ordinances, Policies and Codes. Documents submitted for review will include a scope of work letter outlining the proposed work activities with estimated start and finish dates and drawings depicting (at a minimum) the following information:
- Location and dimensions of the proposed work
- Dimensions and depth of the open pit trenches and of the public services to be placed
- The type of pavement or surface to be altered.
- Proposed grades, elevations and slopes; Y
- Methods for restoring the workspace.
- For a complete list of site plan requirements, select the following link:
Note: All right-of-way plans must be signed and stamped by a licensed architect or engineer.
What regarding work in the Central Business District and Midtown Detroit?
All contractors working in the Central Business District or Midtown Detroit plans must also be reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). The committee will review the Right-of-Way Permit Application and Plans to consider impact on traffic congestion, emergency vehicle access, conflicts with other construction activities, downtown events, parking, etc.
The TRC meets weekly on Tuesday mornings. Contractors must allow time in the permitting process for permit applications/plans to be approved by the TRC.
Valet Location Staging Permit Process
A permit must be completed by any person or business wishing to place a valet parking service in the right-of-way or on private property that requires the use of the right-of-way to maneuver vehicles.
In addition, the Valet Service must have a license to perform valet services. The Business Licensing Center of the Departments of Building Safety Engineering and the Environment is responsible for licensing such operations. They can be contacted at:
REQUESTS FOR CHANGE OF STATE OF THE RIGHT OF WAY
Easements of right of way, usurpations and vacations
Status changes to the public right-of-way (streets and alleys) require City Council resolution/approval and may require additional permits. Types of state changes include:
- Use of berm
- Conversion to Easement
- Dedication
- Invasion
- absolute vacation
- temporary closure
Right of Way Specifications
The City’s Engineering Division publishes a couple of documents that set the standards for work on the public right-of-way. Right-of-way construction work must comply with these documents. Standard Specifications for Paving and Related Construction are available for viewing and downloading on the City’s website at:
