Public Works

 

Permits & Information Packets

 

Approach Permit:

WHAT IS AN APPROACH PERMIT?

An approach permit is a permit that allows a property owner to construct an approach from their property onto a County road.

WHO ASKS FOR AN APPROACH PERMIT?

A property owner who is developing his/her property or Contractor.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

Before a property owner installs an approach, they have to apply for an approach permit. The approach application is filled out and returned to the Public Works office. The property owner is also asked to flag the approach location at the point where it connects to the County Road so that no errors are made during inspection. After the approach permit application has been submitted, an inspector will be sent out to inspect the location. He/she will determine if the location has safe visibility, whether it needs a culvert or not for drainage, etc. Once approved the approach permit will be sent to the applicant. At this point the property owner is free to construct the approach according to the conditions of the approaved application.

WHO DECIDES IF AN APPROACH PERMIT IS TO BE ISSUED?

The inspector with guidance from the County Engineer as necessary.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS AN APPROACH PERMIT?

The process can take up to 3 weeks but normally takes 1 week.

Application to Construct Approach onto County Road new 01/19/08

 

Franchise Agreement:

WHAT IS A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT?

A Franchise Agreement is an agreement between Grant County and a property owner or Utility Company that allows the instalation of a utility (i.e. waterline or power line) inside a County Right-Of-Way.

WHO ASKS FOR A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT?

Typically a property owner who wants to install a private water, private electrical, or private sewer line, over or along a Grant County road.

WHO DECIDES IF A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT IS TO BE ISSUED?

The Board of County Commissioners .

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT?

This is generally a 60 day process.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost is $75.00.

Franchise Information Packet

Road Vacations:

WHAT IS A ROAD VACATION?

A road or right-of-way vacation is governed by R.C.W. 36.87. It is a process where land owners can have the public's interest in roads or right-of-ways removed. Although the right of way may have been vacated, the rights and interests of private individuals and companies may still encumber the road or right-of-way. These private individuals typically live about the road or right- of-way that is vacated, and historically have used these roads for access, or own land in the same plat. Similarly utility easements may also still encumber the areas vacated. What is given up in the vacation process is only the right of the general public to use the vacated road or right-of-way.

WHO ASKS FOR A VACATION?

Generally the person who wants the road or right-of-way which abuts their property vacated will be the "Principal Petitioner". Any other neighbors who want the same road or right-of-way which abuts their property vacated under the same petition can sign the petition as "Co-Petitioners".

WHO DECIDES IF THE ROAD IS VACATED?

The Grant County Board of Commissioners is empowered with deciding if a road or right-of-way will be vacated. The Commissioners rely on recommendations from the County Engineer and on testimony at a public hearing which must be held before a road can be vacated. They are responsible for protecting the general public's interest and the vacation is at their discretion. A favorable recommendation from the County Engineer and no opposition to the vacation at the public hearing are helpful in obtaining the vacation.

When the road has been vacated by operation of law, or statute, the Board of Commissioners generally adopts a resolution recognizing the statutory vacation so as to remove clouds on title.

HOW LONG DOES A VACATION TAKE?

It usually takes four to six weeks before the public hearing can be set. This can be done only after the petition is returned, with the proper signatures, to the Department of Public Works for processing. If the vacation is done by resolution the time and date of the hearing must be posted on the area to be vacated and it also must be published in the public notice section of the official county newspaper.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The basic petitioning fee is $100.00.

Road Vacation Information Packet

Right of Way Permits

Work in the right-of-way of County roads requires a permit from Grant County Public Works. Contact Grant County Public Works if you are not sure whether a street or road is under County or City jurisdiction.

The right-of-way is more difficult to identify on unimproved streets, (i.e. no curb and/or sidewalk), please call Public Works to confirm the location of the right-of-way on unimproved streets.

Permits for simple sidewalk and/or driveway approach work can be obtained through the Public Works Department by using an APPROACH PERMIT.

Permits for placing utility lines, street construction or performing similar work must be obtained through Public Works.

Application to Perform Work on County Road Right-Of-Way

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