Contaminated Sewage

Contaminated Sewage Discharge Permits are required to be obtained prior to discharge of any contaminated sewage into the Royal Oak Sewer System in accordance with City Code

This is done for environmental site cleanup and other commercial projects. Contact the City Engineering Department at (248) 246-3260 for additional information and applications.

Attachment	Size
RO CSD PERMIT.pdf	58.98 KB

Curb Cuts

Curb Removal, Replacement or Alteration (Curb Cut)

A permit is required to be obtained prior to making any removal, alteration or replacement of public non-major road curbing in accordance with City Ordinances. Conditions for obtaining a permit are as follows:

• Contractors doing work in the City of Royal Oak must provide adequate insurance as listed in the Insurance Requirements section of the instructions for performing curb cut work. Insurances required include:
  • Workman’s Compensation Insurance,
  • Commercial General Liability Insurance, and
  • Automobile Liability Insurance.

Only those entities that can provide the Insurance Requirements as listed in the instructions for performing curb cut work outlined above are allowed to obtain a permit.

• The permit fee is listed on the fee schedule which is updated annually.

Please Complete the Curb Cut Permit Application prior to submitting for a permit. Provide two original copies of insurance with the Permit Submittal.

Attachment	Size
RO Curb Cut PERMIT.pdf	78.44 KB
RO Insurance Requirements.pdf	12.43 KB
Engineering Fee Schedule.pdf	4.9 KB

Oversized Load Transport

A permit is required to be obtained prior to transporting any oversized load on any City of Royal Oak road. In most cases an MDOT Permit is also required and copies of the MDOT Transport Permit shall be submitted as a condition of Royal Oak permit approval. Contact the City of Royal Oak Engineering Department at 248-246-3260 for more information.

Parking Pull-Off

Review and Agreement

It is unlawful to park vehicles on City Right-of-way property between the front property line and the edge of the traveled roadway unless an agreement has been approved for the property in question.

A completed Parking Pull-off Agreement Application shall be submitted and approved by the City Commission prior to submitting for a permit. Provide one original copy of the required plans for constructing the desired pull-off area. Example plans for constructing Parking Pull-offs are part of the permit application.

Attachment	Size
RO PARKING PULL OFF Agreement.pdf	40.1 KB

Private Property Paving

A permit is required to be obtained prior to making any installation, removal, repair or replacement of parking lot, sidewalk and any other pavement on non-single family properties or developments (Condominiums, Apartments, Commercial, and Industrial properties, churches, school developments, etc.) in accordance with City Code, Chapter 644. This permit is required to track compliance with the Storm Water runoff and detention requirements. Conditions for obtaining a permit are as follows:

• A detailed Engineering plan depicting exiting site features and demolition areas.
• A separate detailed Engineering plan depicting the proposed dimensions, grading of the pavement areas, detention systems and other City requirements. New parking lots may require an Engineering Site Plan Review.
• Contractors doing work in the City of Royal Oak must provide adequate performance guarantee [bond] at 20% of the value of the paving work as indicated on plans submitted and approved by the department. Performance guarantee for work valued under $100,000 shall be in the form of cash or a bank Letter of Credit. Amounts in excess of $100,000 may be in the form of cash, bank Letter of Credit, or a Performance Bond issued by a reputable company located in the USA. Performance guarantees for Engineering Department required permits can not be combined with performance guarantees required by the Building Department.
• A completed Private Property Paving Permit Application shall be submitted prior to obtaining a permit along with one original copy of an approved performance guarantee.
• The permit processing fee and inspection fees are listed on the fee schedule.

Attachment	Size
RO Private Property Paving PERMIT.pdf	20.99 KB
RO Site Plan Review Application.pdf	41.66 KB
Engineering Fee Schedule.pdf	4.9 KB

Right of Way Issues

Right-Of-Way Permit

A permit is required to be obtained prior to making any removal, repair or replacement of public right-of-way pavement; blocking any portion of Right-of-way for purposes including construction, dumpsters and roll-off containers, moving and storage containers (such as PODS), scaffolding and cranes/ladders/lifts, installing utilities or performing utility repairs or any other work on public property or easement in accordance with City Ordinances.

Conditions for obtaining a permit are as follows:

• When required by the City, a detailed traffic control plan in accordance with Michigan Law.
• When required by the City, locations and numbers of parking meters to be out of service. Payment for out of service or blocked meters shall be on a daily rate per meter.
• A detailed Engineering plan depicting exiting site features and demolition areas to be in conformance with requirements outlined in the City of Royal Oak Site Plan Design Standards.
• A separate detailed Engineering plan depicting the proposed dimensions, grading of the pavement and curb areas, landscape areas and other City requirements. Extensive Right-of-way work may require an Engineering Site Plan Review.
• Contractors doing work in the City of Royal Oak must provide adequate insurance as listed in the City of Royal Oak Insurance Requirements. Insurances required include Workman’s Compensation Insurance, Commercial General Liability Insurance, and Automobile Liability Insurance.  Only those entities that can provide the Insurance Requirements are allowed to obtain a permit.
• Contractors doing work in the City of Royal Oak must provide adequate performance guarantee [bond] at 125% of the value of the following: traffic control, removal and restoration of the right-of-way as indicated on plans submitted and approved by the Engineering Department, the public utility being installed, etc. Performance guarantee for work valued under $100,000 shall be in the form of cash or a bank Letter of Credit. Amounts in excess of $100,000 may be in the form of cash, bank Letter of Credit, or a Performance Bond issued by a reputable company located in the USA. Performance guarantees for Engineering Department required permits can not be combined with performance guarantees required by other City departments.
• A completed Right-of-way Permit Application (page 1 of the 13 page document) shall be submitted for a permit along with two original copies of insurance; and cash bond or one original copy of an approved performance guarantee.
• The Right-of-way permit processing fee and inspection fees are listed on the fee schedule which is updated annually.

Closures, Vacations and Easements

Right-of-way Property dedicated for public travel and utility use and owned by the City of Royal Oak, Michigan as shown on surveyor land plat maps recorded at the Oakland County, Register’s Office in the State of Michigan. Right-of-ways typically include roadways and alleys.

Close (alley or roadway): to prohibit vehicular or pedestrian traffic on public property through city commission resolution. Closure may include blocking off access to public property at all access points or at some intermediate point to prevent through traffic.

Vacate (alley or roadway): to distribute ownership to the adjacent property owner through city commission resolution in accordance with the Land Division Act of 1967, often times with easement rights retained. Vacated land is distributed back to the recorded plat from which it was dedicated.

Easement: the right of the city to make limited use of another's real property as granted by a real property owner (GRANTOR) to the city (GRANTEE) and accepted through city commission resolution; rights such as installation of public or quasi-public utilities upon or below, or to gain access to private property for public purposes. Easement documents are recorded at the Oakland County, Register’s Office in the State of Michigan.

Easements are either exclusive or nonexclusive. Most easements in Royal Oak are nonexclusive. Nonexclusive means the GRANTEE (City) cannot prevent the GRANTOR (real property owner) from enjoyment of the land, subject to any special provision written into the easement. Typical provisions require the grantor to gain the permission of the grantee (City) to build within, encroach, close, block etc. the easement. Another provision may require easements to have time limits or be forever and (typically) can only be dissolved or relinquished by the Grantee.

Definitions: Easement [ Law. A right, such as a right-of-way, afforded a person/entity to make limited use of another's real property].

For additional information regarding this subject, contact the City Engineering department at (248)246-3260.

Attachment	Size
RO SITEPLAN DESIGN standards.pdf	411.76 KB
RO Site Plan Review Application.pdf	41.66 KB
RO Insurance Requirements.pdf	12.43 KB
RO ROW PERMIT.pdf	101.08 KB
Engineering Fee Schedule.pdf	4.9 KB

Road Construction

The City of Royal Oak Engineering Department has tentatively scheduled the following major projects in 2011 for improvements to the City’s infrastructure. There may be some inconvenience associated with this work and the Engineering Department wants to thank you in advance for your help and cooperation. If you have any questions regarding the listed projects, you may contact the Engineering Department at 248.246.3260.

Road Improvements

• Normandy Ave. between Crooks Rd. and Main St. will receive new concrete pavement and be resurfaced late this summer. This road work is expected to be funded through MDOT and City Act 51 funds. The estimated cost is $895,300.

• Twelve Mile Rd. between Woodward Ave. and Main St. will be resurfaced late this summer. The estimated cost is $1,517,300. This road work is funded by MDOT and City Act 51.

• Community Development Block Grant resurfacing or reconstruction of Meijer Drive to the City of Troy boundary and Curry Avenue between 11 Mile Road and E. Farnum. The total estimated cost is $520,000.

• Concrete road repairs will take place on various local streets as necessary in the area bounded by 11 Mile Road, Main St., I-696 and Campbell Road. The total estimated cost is $300,000.

• Concrete road construction will take place on Edison north of University and on University east of Edison. The total estimated cost is $50,000 which is being funded through Special Assessment of adjacent properties.

Parking Improvements

• The parking lot at the Department of Public Service will receive surface improvements this summer. The cost of the work was included in the infrastructure improvement Capital Improvement Bond. The contract award was for $505,400.

Local Street Construction and Repair

Local road improvements are mainly funded using Act 51 funds which are generated mainly from gas taxes. Contrary to popular belief, property taxes are not used to improve or repair Local streets. For Local streets, the City is limited to approximately 25 percent of its available Act 51 monies which fund many annual maintenance programs including, snow plowing and salting, sweeping and cleaning, storm sewer maintenance, targeted concrete patch/repair programs, and the City’s portion of Special Assessment street paving. An unimproved roadway is required to be funded initially through a Special Assessment on the adjacent property Owners, however the City is obligated to participate for certain portions of paving and drainage according to City Charter. The City has also been fortunate to obtain Block Grant awards to repair or improve roadways within the designated Block Grant areas. Local street funds however are very limited. Roughly $300K is available to be budgeted annually for construction and repair maintenance on local streets. For more information refer to the City Finance Department’s Annual Budget.

Major Road Construction and Repair

Major road improvements are mainly funded using Act 51 funds which are also generated mainly from gas taxes. Property taxes are not used to improve or repair Major roads in Royal Oak. The City has been fortunate to obtain regular Federal Grant awards to repair or improve major roadways such as Main Street, S. Washington Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Crooks Road, and 12 Mile Road. The City utilizes its Major road funds to leverage and provide required match dollars for obtaining the Federal Grants. For Major roads, the City is limited to approximately 75 percent of its available Act 51 monies which fund many annual maintenance programs on Major roads including road construction and rehabilitation, snow plowing and salting, sweeping and cleaning, storm sewer maintenance. Roughly $1.3M is available to be budgeted annually for construction and repair maintenance on Major roads. For more information refer to the City Finance Department’s Annual Budget.

Sidewalks

Sidewalk Removal and Replacement (as a means of repair)

A permit is required to be obtained prior to making any removal and replacement of public City Sidewalk or Driveway approach in accordance with City Codes. All removal and replacement shall be in accordance with City of Royal Oak standards. Note: colored concrete and textured or stamped concrete are not allowed for public sidewalk construction.

Sidewalk Contractors
Contractors doing work in the City of Royal Oak must first be licensed to perform the work of installing sidewalks and approaches. A condition of licensure is providing a 2-year $1,000 bond on the appropriate City of Royal Oak form. A completed Sidewalk Builders License Application and Sidewalk Bond Form shall be submitted by the entity desiring to be a Licensed Sidewalk Contractor prior to submitting for a permit.

The Sidewalk Builder’s License fee is listed on the fee schedule which is updated annually.

Homeowner’s  Performing Sidewalk Construction

Homeowners may obtain a permit to construct public sidewalk providing proper identification indicating property ownership (drivers license) along with a signed affidavit stating the property owner will not hire contractors to perform the work. Homeowners shall complete the Homeowners Affidavit prior to submitting for a permit.

The Sidewalk License and Permit fees are listed on the fee schedule which is updated annually.

Sidewalk Improvement Program

On May 16, 2011, the City of Royal Oak directed the City Engineering Department to embark on a new Sidewalk Improvement Program. The program will address and replace deficient public Sidewalk over a six year period beginning in 2012 per City Commission letter 141-11. A map showing the areas of the City and the year that construction will be done has been developed.

At the current time, the Engineering Department is only inspecting existing sidewalks and determining which sidewalks exhibit deficiencies requiring correction per the approved Sidewalk Replacement Criteria. In the spring of 2012, homeowners will be notified of the specifics of the program, and in particular the deficiencies identified on the sidewalk adjacent to their property that they are responsible to maintain as outlined in City Code, Chapter 650. The Engineering Department will begin addressing property owner concerns, only after notifications have been sent out. As has been done in past years, prior to construction, a Public Meeting will be held for any affected property owner to meet with City staff and request additional information or set up an appointment for a site inspection and review.

History: In 1994 the City Commission directed City Engineering Department to embark on a Sidewalk Improvement Program. The program was to correct numerous deficiencies on public sidewalks and eliminate potential liabilities, install new sidewalks where none existed and provide handicap accessible ramps where pedestrians cross roadways. The Sidewalk Replacement Criteria was developed by the Engineering Department with help from the City Attorney and approved by the Commission. The program targeted an area of the City each calendar year for 11 years between 1995 and 2006.

Attachment	Size
RO Sidewalk License & Instructions.pdf	23.35 KB
RO Sidewalk Bond.pdf	7.64 KB
RO Sidewalk Homeowner Affidavit.pdf	21.72 KB
RO Sidewalk Replacement Criteria.pdf	3.91 KB
Sidewalk Program Map.pdf	129.4 KB
CL 141-11.pdf	35.3 KB

Site Plan Review

Site Plan Review for Development Right-of-way, Drainage and Paving

When required by City Code, City of Royal Oak Commission, Plan Commission, Zoning Board or City Engineer, a detailed engineered site plan shall be submitted directly to the City Engineer for review and approval. Plans shall be in conformance with requirements outlined in the City of Royal Oak Site Plan Design Standards. The application and guidelines for the plan review are listed on the Site Plan Review Application.

The Engineering Site Plan Review fees are listed on the fee schedule which is updated annually.

Attachment	Size
RO SITEPLAN DESIGN standards.pdf	411.76 KB
RO Site Plan Review Application.pdf	41.66 KB
Engineering Fee Schedule.pdf	4.9 KB

Soil Erosion Control

Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control permits are issued by the office of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (OCWRC). http://www.oakgov.com/water/services/soil_erosion.html . In most instances when earth is disturbed, a Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control permit application is required to be submitted to the County, who will make the determination if a permit is required. When a waiver or permit is issued by OCWRC, a copy of the OCWRC issued documents shall be placed on file with the City Engineer prior to issuance of any City issued permit.

Traffic Committee

Established by Ordinance § 39-35 the Traffic Committee functions to review proposed traffic regulations and traffic safety issues. The Committee is comprised of seven regular members and one alternate appointed by the City Commission, for three-year terms. It usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month.

Meeting Agendas & Minutes, when available, may be in Adobe Pdf format. To View or print these forms, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download the Acrobat Reader free from Adobe Systems, Inc.

How much is a 5 mph over speeding ticket? Check here for Traffic Fine Schedule.

Traffic Committee Requests
The City of Royal Oak citizens Traffic Committee hears requests by concerned citizens and property owners with regards to traffic speed and volume issues, requests for changes to traffic and pedestrian crossing signals, traffic and parking signage.

The Traffic Committee consists of Royal Oak property owners appointed by the City Commission who are volunteers and are not paid or elected.  The Traffic Committee makes recommendations to the City Commission.  Requests are openly discussed in a semiformal atmosphere where citizens are encouraged to participate in the discussion and formulation of solutions that benefit the City. A recommendation forwarded to the City of Royal Oak City Commission also will discuss the item, however comments are only made during "public comment" portion of the City Commission Agenda and not when the items are voted upon.

It is important to understand that professionals make preliminary recommendations to the Traffic Committee.  They consist of civil and traffic Engineers, outside consultants and Planning and Public Safety officials. The ultimate recommendation to the City Commission will be one that benefits our citizens and community as a whole

Requests may be made in accordance with the Traffic Committee Request Instructions. If a petition of the neighborhood is required, one will be sent to the applicant for their circulation to the street residents affected by the request. Requests may also be made to the Engineering Department via the City's Contact Form.

Attachment	Size
RO Traffic Request INSTRUCTIONS.pdf	6.62 KB

Trash and Storage Containers

Trash Containers and Mobile Storage Containers on City Property

Trash Containers, roll-off dumpsters and mobile storage containers such as “PODS” require a  Right-of-way Permit.

Refer to the City Policy for placement of Trash Containers and Mobile Storage Containers on City Property.

Attachment	Size
RO ROW PERMIT.pdf	101.08 KB
RO Policy for Rolloff Container or PODS.pdf	8.12 KB

Water Quality Reports

Consumers Annual Report on Water Quality

The Consumer’s Annual Report on Water Quality shows the sources of Royal Oak’s potable water which is distributed through City water distribution system. The report also lists the results of required testing for contaminants, and contains important information about water and health. The City will notify residents immediately if there is ever any reason for concern about our water. The City publishes an updated report every year after the testing has been completed.

These reports are in Adobe Acrobat format and you will need the Acrobat reader to view them. You can download the Acrobat Reader free from Adobe Systems, Inc. by clicking on the button.

Attachment	Size
h2oquality2010.pdf	43.45 KB
h2oquality2009.pdf	43.38 KB
h2oquality2008.pdf	44.5 KB
h2oquality2007.pdf	43.66 KB
h2oquality2006.pdf	101.95 KB
h2oquality2005.pdf	46.39 KB
h2oquality2004.pdf	132.38 KB
h2oquality2003.pdf	42.68 KB
h2oquality2002.pdf	44.75 KB
h2oquality2001.pdf	39.75 KB
h2oquality2000.pdf	41.54 KB
h2oquality1999.pdf	42.24 KB

Water and Sewer Projects

The City of Royal Oak Engineering Department has tentatively scheduled the following major projects in 2011 for improvements to the City’s infrastructure. There may be some inconvenience associated with this work and the Engineering Department wants to thank you in advance for your help and cooperation. If you have any questions regarding the listed projects, you may contact the Engineering Department at 248.246.3260.

Water Main Projects

• A new 12” water main in Shenandoah from Webster to Glenwood and a new 12” water main in Benjamin from Woodward to Webster. The total estimated cost is $891,100.

The following are possible projects for 2011:

• A new 12” water main will be installed on the west side of Woodward from Grandview to Berkshire and west of Woodward on Berkshire to Greenfield and Arden Place at Grandview.
  The total estimated cost is $1,063,900.

• A new 12” water main will be installed on the east side of Woodward Ave. north of 11 Mile Rd. to Forestdale. The estimated cost is $643,000.

• A new 12” water main in Sedgemoor north of 14 Mile Rd. and spot water main replacement in 12 Mile Rd. from Vermont to Connecticut. The estimated cost is $267,700.

Sewer Projects

• There will be spot sewer repairs, sewer cleaning, televising and root treatment of various public sewers throughout the City. This is part of an ongoing sewer maintenance program to monitor and improve the conditions of pubic sewers in the City. The cost is estimated at approximately $400,000.

• Install a new 12” relief sewer in Sheridan from Grandview to Wrenford Rd. The total estimated cost is $274,700.