ROW Work
Right-of-Way Work Permits
In accordance with Chapter 90, Article IV of the City of Seguin Code of Ordinances, all entities desiring to conduct work within the city right-of-way must first complete, submit, and obtain an approved ROW Work Permit, in addition to any other required permits. Public right-of-way (ROW) includes all areas from the private property line towards the street.
Applications for ROW Work Permits must be submitted online through the Development Services Portal (CSS).
The recent revisions to the ROW Work Ordinance were approved by City Council in March 2023 and can be found here: Ordinance No. 2023-014.
Emergency Repairs
In the event that an excavation or other work within the city right-of-way must be made in response to emergency repairs (such as water main breaks or gas leaks), telephone notice must be given prior to the start of work within the right-of-way.
- During business hours - call (830) 401-2776
- After hours, holidays, and weekends - leave a message on voicemail
A completed ROW Work Permit application must be submitted by the end of the following business day.
ROW Work Permit Instructions
Applications for ROW Work Permits must be submitted online through the Development Services Portal (CSS). Application fees must be paid online through the portal.
- An approved permit shall be required prior to all work within the city right-of-way, except for emergency repairs.
- The application must be obtained by the owner of the facility that is to be constructed or altered within the city right-of-way. If a contractor that is not the owner will be performing the work, both the owner and the contractor will be considered the applicant for the ROW Work Permit application.
- Insurance certificates in accordance with City of Seguin Code of Ordinances Section 90-121 are required.
- Utility locates shall be in place prior to all work within the city right-of-way. The cost of repairs for any damaged city utility that is properly located shall be incurred by the applicant.
- Contractor shall supply a traffic control plan using the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD) when work affects the normal flow of traffic. All traffic control devices shall comply with the TMUTCD. Contractor is responsible for maintaining placement of traffic control devices during overnight hours when required and shall provide an afterhours contact number.
- Overnight road closures will only be authorized after all other options have been explored.
- A minimum of two business days notice to the City of Seguin is required prior to any road closure.
- The application must be submitted at least five (5) business days, but no more than 30 calendar days, before the start of work.
- All ROW Work Permits shall expire 60 days from the date of issue. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the city engineer, per City of Seguin Code of Ordinances Section 90-122.
- Work shall be conducted between the hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. No after hours, weekend, or holiday work is allowed without prior approval from the Engineering Department. A complete list of city holidays may be viewed on the city website. City sponsored and private events such as parades and holiday celebrations may also restrict or curtail work in the ROW. In such situations, prior notice will be provided to the affected contractor(s) by the Engineering Department.
- Work related to a project that includes work in TxDOT right-of-way requires approval from TxDOT prior beginning the work.
- Specific requirements for different types of work conducted in the city right-of-way can be found in the sections below.
Inspections
To request an inspection, call the ROW Inspector/Technician at (830) 401-2469. Further details for specific inspections on work in the city right-of-way are listed in the sections below.
Re-inspection fees are for inspections outside of the standard workflow and are assessed in accordance with City of Seguin Code of Ordinances Appendix C.
Application Details
- A detailed diagram with the approximate street cut orientation, placement, and dimensions in relation to existing street(s) is required. This diagram should also include street name(s), block numbers, and cross street name(s).
- Contractor shall follow backfill procedures provided in the city's Design Standards.
- An additional concrete permit is not required when small areas of concrete are damaged or removed while working under the ROW Work Permit. Contractor shall refer to the city's Design Standards for repair and replacement.
- When utilizing steel plates to cover open excavations, the plates shall be ramped with hot or cold mix asphalt when left unattended and in the vehicle drive path.
- Pavement condition index (PCI) numerical ratings and/or the age of the roadway shall determine the benching/patching requirements for roadway excavations. The City of Seguin maintains a map that shows the latest PCIs for all city-maintained roadways.
- 85-100 PCI or a roadway that is less than 5 year old: Any excavations require approval from the city engineer, per City of Seguin Code of Ordinances Section 90-119.
- 70-85 PCI: Roadways in this category shall require 6' benching from the edge of cut on all sides when possible.
- 55-70 PCI: Roadways in this category shall require 3' benching from the edge of cut on all sides when possible.
- 0-55 PCI: Roadways in this category shall require 1' benching from the edge of cut on all sides when possible.
- Benching standards for paved alleys are 1' benching from the edge of cut on all sides when possible.
- Unpaved alleys shall require 12" of loose material above bedding material, 12" secondary backfill (native soil) compacted to a minimum of 95% density, and 12" primary backfill (flex base) compacted to a minimum of 95% density.
- The benching standards listed above may not be achievable when the patch is next to an existing curb or conflicts with manholes and water valves exist. The city inspector will assess these situations on a case-by-case basis.
- All pavement markings removed during the excavation and benching process shall be restored no later than 1 week after patching/paving. Thermoplastic shall be utilized for restoration.
Inspection Process and Requirements
- Call ROW Inspector/Technician at (830) 401-2469.
- Pre-inspection required upon completion of backfill. At no time should the contractor proceed with patching/paving or concrete prior to approval by the ROW Inspector/Technician. Failure to do so could result in removal of asphalt or concrete at the contractor's expense.
- Pre-inspection required on all concrete repairs. Forms, rebar, base, and "tie-ins" will be inspected for compliance with city Design Standards.
- Final inspection will be performed on all paved surfaces. Patches will be inspected for workmanship to include smooth "tie-in" to existing asphalt or concrete, asphalt integrity, ADA compliance (when applicable), and overall drivability.
- All material and debris associated with the project must be removed before final completion of the project.
Application Details
- A detailed diagram or plan showing the proposed work must be included. The plan must include measurements from a fixed object (i.e., corner lot pin or corner of house) to both sides of the proposed improvement(s) and the entire property frontage. Corner lot properties require measurements for both frontage sides.
- Plans for commercial driveways must be signed and sealed by a professional engineer, registered to practice in the state of Texas.
- Utilize the city's Design Standards for driveways, sidewalks, and curb & gutter.
- The addition of sidewalks may be required by the city when installing a driveway. In such cases, the factors used to make this determination can be found in Section 5.4 of the City of Seguin Unified Development Code (UDC). When sidewalks are not required, a fee-in-lieu may be approved, per requirements in Section 5.4 of the UDC. Measurements for fee-in-lieu of installation shall encompass the entire property frontage minus the area designated as the proposed driveway.
- When a drainage culvert or pipe is proposed to be utilized to channel water under a driveway, the minimum diameter allowed is 12". Larger pipes or culverts may be required at the discretion of the Engineering Department.
Inspection Process and Requirements
- Call ROW Inspector/Technician at (830) 401-2469.
- Pre inspection (prior to pouring concrete material)
- Forms, rebar, base material, and slopes will be inspected and measured to verify detail requirements and ensure compliance with ADA regulations.
- An additional pre-inspection may be requested prior to placing forms and rebar to assist with initial placement.
- Applicant is given approval to proceed or disapproved to make appropriate changes or corrections. At no time should an applicant proceed with improvement prior to approval. Failure could result in removal of concrete at the applicant's expense.
- Final inspection (as applicable)
- Slopes will be re-inspected for ADA compliance.
- Concrete to asphalt street "tie-in" will be inspected.
- Curb will be inspected for "tie-in" to street and driveway.
- All material and debris associated with the project must be removed before final completion of the project.
Application Details
- Contractor shall follow backfill procedures provided in the city's Design Standards.
- The city may require revegetation at certain locations. Watering of the revegetated area shall be the responsibility of the applicant until the vegetation is established.
Inspection Process and Requirements
- Call ROW Inspector/Technician at (830) 401-2469.
- Backfill process will be inspected in stages depending on the depth of excavation.
- When required, revegetation shall be watered until established.
- All material and debris associated with the project must be removed before final completion of the project.
Application Details
- Plans for overhead utility work shall include all new proposed pole, above ground box, and vault locations and shall be signed and sealed by a professional engineer, registered to practice in the state of Texas.
- A list of all trees proposed to be trimmed or removed shall be provided with the application and shall be approved by the Engineering Department prior to any trimming or removal can proceed.
- All other methods must be exhausted prior to trimming or removing historical trees as defined in Section 5.2.3.G of the City of Seguin Unified Development Code. When the trimming of a historical tree is deemed necessary by the city engineer, a certified arborist shall oversee the trimming. The applicant shall bear the expense of providing the arborist.
Inspection Process and Requirements
- Call ROW Inspector/Technician at (830) 401-2469 for final inspection.