Public Works Permit: Public Improvements

A Public Works Permit is required for any person that:

  • Constructs, excavates, drills, connects to, installs, or plants any public improvement of a permanent or temporary nature within any City of Rockville right-of-way and/or easement.

Tips:

  • Do not start work without an approved permit. A violation could result in a code enforcement violation with a penalty fee.
  • All construction projects must adhere to Article II, Chapter 21 of the Rockville City Code. 
  • The Department of Public Works has electronic engineering records available for request. Request records online.
  • See Residential Driveway Apron Standards And Procedures if the proposed work is only Residential Driveway Apron.
  • See the Public Works Permit “Protection of Right-of-Way” if the proposed construction activity is only traversing or setting up in the city ROW or is only for the Maintenance of Traffic for blocking or obstructing any portion of traffic within a city ROW or easement.
  • See the Utility Permit if the proposed work is to install, maintain, or connect any utility, including but not limited to: gas, electric power, telephone lines, telecommunications lines, antenna, and cable television wires. 
Still have questions? Contact: 

Department of Public Works
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240-314-8500
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pw@rockvillemd.gov
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111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850
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Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Application Process

1

Gather Materials

Review the submission checklist for required items and supporting documents. See our Standards and Detail for notes, standards, and guidelines.

2

Complete the Application Online

Tell us about your project and what type of work you will be doing, and submit your transmittal and completed checklist.

If you are unable to submit online, contact pw@rockvillemd.gov.

Apply for Permit

3

Submit Plans

After we process your application, you will be assigned to a reviewer who will contact you with a link or method to submit your plans for review.

4

Make Payment

Prior to reviewing your plans, we will provide you with the appropriate method to submit your Application and Review Fee (check or credit card). 

All fees except bond payments are acceptable by credit card. Contact assigned reviewer to pay any fees by credit card. View fees and schedule. 

Three Options to Secure your Bond:

  1. Performance Bond: A performance bond is an acceptable method of providing security for the DPW permits. If a bond is used it must be issued by a licensed surety company authorized to do business in the State of Maryland. The performance bond must utilize the city’s standard wording corresponding to the type of legal entity to whom the permit will be issued (Individual, Partnership, LLC, Corporation). All signatures must be notarized. The bond must be approved by the City Attorney prior to issuance of the permit. That approval is coordinated through DPW. The bond must be issued for the same legal entity listed as the permittee on the DPW permit.
  2. Letter of Credit Bond: The Permittee may provide a letter of credit from a financial institution, such as a bank, as a method of securing a DPW permit. The letter of credit must utilize the city’s standard wording corresponding to the type of legal entity to whom the permit will be issued (an individual, partnership, or corporation). This document does not require notarization. The letter of credit must be approved by the City Attorney prior to issuance of the permit. That approval is coordinated through DPW. The letter of credit must be issued for the same legal entity listed as the permittee on the DPW permit.
  3. Cash Bond: A cash bond may be used only if the amount of the security is $20,000 or less. The cash bond shall be in the form of a check made payable to the City of Rockville. The check will be deposited by the city in an account upon receipt. The check must be signed by the individual or authorized person (in the case of a partnership or corporation) to whom the permit will be issued. Upon the satisfactory completion of the work as required, the city shall return the funds to the permittee.
5

Check Status

Your assigned reviewer will review your Public Works Permit and the typical review time for first submission is within 2 weeks, and subsequent reviews are within 1 weeks. 

When the review has been completed, you will be contacted by your assigned reviewer with a link to view the results. 

If you need to make corrections, you can work with the reviewer on your resubmission. 

For Single Family Development projects, typical review time for the first submission is within 4 weeks, and subsequent reviews are within 2 weeks.

6

Schedule Inspection

The permit will have instructions to set up a Pre-Construction Meeting and contact a Public Works Inspector for future reference.