Road Improvement permits are required to be obtained for work involving building new roads or modifying existing roads such as widening, adding a turn lane, or changing the surface type. This permit process has been developed to ensure the improvements are designed and installed in a way that ensures a high level of safety as well as a quality road system for the future. Due to the variety of projects which can occur we have two different permit categories – one for major road improvements and one for minor. Major road improvements involve constructing new county roads. Minor permits may be used for small projects where staff time involved is much less.
As you might imagine, building a new county road usually will involve several other agencies such as utility providers and even other government agencies. Our permit process is just one piece of a larger puzzle and we encourage property owners/contractors to initiate processes with all agencies simultaneously to keep the project timeline to a minimum.
Do I Need This Permit?
Common examples of when to obtain a permit include:
- Developing a subdivision involving the creation of new county roads.
- Adding a turn lane to an existing road.
- Changing the surface type of a road from gravel to asphalt.
- Widening or extending an existing county road.
Summary of Process
How to Start - Call us or come into our office to speak with one of our Engineering Division representatives.
Steps
- Contact Roads to ensure your project impacts a county road (as opposed to city or state).
- Consult with our permit staff and Engineers to determine if a Road Improvement permit is necessary.
- Make application for the permit. Necessary information includes:
- Name and mailing address of applicant.
- Facility location information such as address and other identifying location/information.
- Daytime telephone number.
- Two sets of plans.
- If approved, your permit will then be mailed to you (or faxed if you prefer).
- NOTE: When a permit is issued and
includes referenced plans provided by the permit applicant and prepared by an
Oregon Registered Professional Engineer, the permit applicant shall retain the
stamping engineer as the Engineer of Record (EOR) for the work covered by the
permit. If the stamping engineer is not retained by the permit applicant,
other arrangements will have to be made by the permit applicant to provide an
alternate EOR. The arrangements for an alternate EOR must be approved by
the County Engineer.
Fee(s) - Minor $3,524.50; Major $7,049.00 (subject to change during annual fee update process)
Timing - your initial contact with our office will begin the process of consulting with our permit staff. When we receive your two sets of plans it takes us 2-3 weeks to offer any comments back. We offer a maximum of three plan review/comment cycles and your work can begin when you have the permit in hand.
Tips & Tricks
- Be sure to start the process well ahead of when you want the project to be completed.
- Visit our Standard Drawings information.
- Plans should be submitted as a set of two; no electronic submittals.
- Engage multiple agencies at the same time to keep your project timeline on track.
- Make sure all comments received are addressed in revised plans.
- Don't forget to "Call Before You Dig" - safety first!
- Be sure to read your permit carefully and note all requirements. Various inspections and notifications are required throughout the process of building your project.
- Permits are only valid for the dates, project scope and extent as described in your permit.
- The sample form below will be part of the process near the beginning.
Forms/Documents/Drawings