Guidelines & Specifications

DRIVEWAYS, BANNERS AND PARADES
Part 2 Driveway Permits

RULE 2.1 AUTHORIZED APPLICANTS

Applications for driveway permits may be accepted from property owners, the owner¹s contractor or authorized agent, or from governmental agencies.

RULE 2.2 APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT (S)

Applications for driveway permits shall be submitted in the manner prescribed by and on the appropriate forms supplied by the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department. Application and permit form #226 is required for residential driveways. Form 64A is required for application for permits for commercial driveways and approaches and connection of private road. Permits for commercial driveways and approaches and private road connections are issued on Form 20A. Applications shall be accompanied by plans or drawings containing the information required by Rule 2.3 and the appropriate fee as established by the Board.

RULE 2.3 REQUIREMENTS ON PLANS OF PROPOSED DRIVEWAY (S)

Construction of a new road which will become a public road shall be allowed only after an approved permit for the approach has been obtained from the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department. Construction of the approach, tapers, passing lane and new road shall be in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the Subdivision Improvement Division of the Engineering Department of the Road Commission for Oakland County. Geometrics and construction standards may be found in the "Procedures for Plan Development and Standards and Specifications".

1. Existing road surface, type and thickness, ditches, right-of-way and property lines, road appurtenances, medians (if existing) and dimensions thereof, and driveways on adjacent property and on property opposite the frontage, names of existing and proposed roads, utilities, sight distance and other physical features which may impact the design, approval and construction of the proposed work.
   
   
2. All buildings, both proposed and existing, and appurtenances to any business being conducted and dimensions thereof including a notation as to present or proposed use of the buildings.
   
   
3. Design Standards (in accordance with Part 3 of these Rules) of all driveways, tapers, right turn lanes, passing lanes and center lane for left turns to be constructed, reconstructed, relocated, surfaced, resurfaced, operated, used or maintained to include the following dimensions and features:
   
   
1. widths of all driveways
2. radii of driveway returns and other points of curvature
3. driveway grades or profile view of driveway
4. angle of the driveway(s) relative to the roadway edge of pavement
5. dimensions of roadside control island, other traffic islands adjacent to the road and traffic control island/islands in the road
6. driveway surface material and traffic island surface material
7. sight distance for the approach
8. rumble strips
9. dimensions of all taper lengths, lane widths and length, length of curb
   
   
4. Distance from existing driveway(s) and proposed driveway(s) to the nearest intersecting street or crossroad and dimensions to property lines, property lines extended to the road pavement and buildings and business appurtenances.
   
   
5. All roadside features, in addition to driveways, to be constructed within the road right-of-way including roadside control island, curb, sidewalks, authorized traffic signs, landscaping and other roadside features such as manholes and poles.
   
   
6. Existing and proposed drainage structures, ditches, and controls to include:
   
   
1. size and length of drive culvert
2. type of culvert
3. type of culvert and treatment
4. grade of culvert
5. direction of surface water flow on and from adjacent property
6. drainage structures
7. other hydrologic/hydraulic information as necessary
   
   
7. North directional arrow and scale of drawing.
   
   
8. The name, address and phone number of the person preparing the plan. When required by law, the seal of the Professional Engineer who prepared the plans along with his/her name, address and phone number must appear on the plan.

2.4 RULE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

The design, location, construction and operation of driveways and related construction within road right-of-way shall meet requirements of the current Michigan Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Construction, Guidelines of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and design standards set forth in Part 3 of these Rules and any other standards used by the Road Commission for Oakland County.

2.5 RULE CONDITIONS OF ISSUANCE OF DRIVEWAY PERMITS

All driveway permits issued in accordance with these rules shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations:

2.5.1

The Permits & Environmental Concerns Department shall reserve the right to inspect and test any driveway constructed within road right-of-way and the licensee shall reimburse the Board for actual costs associated with any on-the-job inspection or testing which may be required. Such inspection and testing may include inspection of materials, soils, construction methods, compaction, grades, drainage, signing and safety precautions.

2.5.2

The Permits & Environmental Concerns Department or its representative shall be given at least two days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays) written notice prior to the commencement of any operation covered by the permit.

2.5.3

The licensee shall have a copy of the permit and associated approved plans available at the site during construction.

2.5.4

The licensee shall take, provide and maintain all necessary precautions to prevent injury or damage to persons and property from operations covered by the permit and shall use warning signs and safety devices which are in accordance with the current Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

2.5.5

The licensee shall surrender the permit, cease operation and surrender all rights thereunder, whenever notified to do so by the Board or its representative because of the need to use the area covered by the permit or because of a default of any condition or provision of the permit.

2.5.6

Drainage shall not be altered to flow onto road right-of-way unless the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department approve special provisions.

2.5.7

The licensee shall remove all surplus materials to an area outside of the limits of the right-of-way unless the permit provides the manner of disposal at locations within the right-of-way. Excavated material and raw materials or equipment shall not be stockpiled or stored so as to adversely affect the safety of the traveling public nor shall such material be disposed in such manner that wetlands or streams are impacted. Work within wetlands or wetland fringes is not authorized by the permit unless accompanied by State or Local wetland permit. Excess materials may not be disposed of in lakes, streams, wetlands or flood plains.

2.5.8

All work authorized by the permit shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department on or before the completion date specified in the permit. Any request for an extension of time for completion of work authorized by permit shall be in writing and include reasons for the request. Approval of extension of time shall be based on extenuating circumstances indicating no neglect on the part of the permit licensee. Additional requirements may be imposed as a condition of an extension of time due to seasonal limitations and other considerations. These additional requirements may include changes to materials or construction methods, and re-establishment of fees, bonds, deposits and insurance¹s and payment of work authorizations.

2.5.9

The licensee shall maintain all driveways set forth in the permit in a manner as not to damage, impair, interfere with, or obstruct a public road or create a foreseeable risk of harm to the traveling public.

2.5.10

The licensee shall notify the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department of completion of the work in writing and request a final inspection.

2.5.11

The applicant and licensee are responsible for obtaining any permits and complying with State, Federal or Local laws, rules regulations or ordinances. These include, but are not limited to inland lakes and streams, wetlands, woodlands, flood plains, filling, and hours of operation. Issuance of a Road Commission for Oakland County permit does not authorize activities otherwise regulated by State, Local or Federal agencies.

2.5.12

The licensee shall agree to abide by the condition and specification contained on the permit application and the permit.

2.6 RULE INDEMNITY AND CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE

Certificates of insurance shall be required for all permits for installation of commercial drives in amounts and coverages specified by the Board. The Road Commission for Oakland County shall be a certificate holder with the provision that it will be notified of cancellation or reduction of insurance.

The Policy must be provided by a person, a corporation, or by authorized representatives who signed personally either the application or permit. Variations in insurance or coverage or form may be reviewed by the Legal Department and approved if Road Commission interests are adequately covered. Insurance must be kept in force until the permitted construction is completed, inspected and approved.

Should insurance coverage be reduced below acceptable coverage or canceled, authorization to continue work under the permit is suspended, and the Road Commission for Oakland County may take appropriate action to restore or protect the road and appurtenances utilizing any inspection, security deposits and bonds to defray expenses.

Permit applications and permits will contain hold harmless provisions, which require the signer to hold the Board harmless for claims arising out of the installation and continued existence of the facility.

2.7 RULE PERMIT DEPOSITS

Deposits in the form of a certified check, bank check or cash shall be required in the amounts indicated on the approved application form for permit deposit, inspection fee, pavement replacement, sign fee and pavement striping fees. These amounts, as well as the permit fee, may be combined into one check.

Personal or corporate checks may be accepted subject to the approval of the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department.

All inspection charges over and above the amount estimated and any costs associated with work authorizations shall be deducted from the permit deposit. Any unused portion of the permit deposit will be returned to the licensee. Any charges in excess of the permit deposit will be billed to the licensee. The bond and permit will not be released until such payments are received by the Road Commission for Oakland County.

2.8 RULE SECURITY FOR ROAD RESTORATION

Security in the form of cash, a certified check or surety bond shall be required for permits for the construction or reconstruction of commercial driveways to secure the cost of restoring the disturbed portion of right-of-way to an acceptable and safe condition. Surety Bonds shall be on a form provided by the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department or a form accepted by the Legal Department of the Board.

The amount of the security shall be determined by the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department.

2.9 RULE REFUNDS OF APPLICATION FEES, PERMIT FEES, DEPOSITS, AND UNUSED BALANCES

Application fees are non-refundable once fees received have been deposited and/or the application has been approved or denied. Permit fees are non-refundable upon issuance of the permit.

In the event that the work covered by a permit does not commence, deposits and inspection fees will be refunded to the licensee upon receipt of a written request to revoke the permit and return the deposit and inspection fees.

In the event, upon completion of the work covered by the permit, that unused balances remain either deposits or estimated inspection fees, a refund will be issued to the licensee. Sign fees and pavement striping fees are non-refundable if the Road Commission for Oakland County has incurred costs in reliance on the permit issuance, even if work does not proceed. Refunds will be processed after final inspection of the work by the Permits & Environmental Concerns Department. Final inspection will not occur until the Road Commission for Oakland County has been satisfied that all repairs have been made, vegetation has been established and that no settlements will occur.

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