Public Works Permit: Protection of Right-of-Way

A Public Works Permit for the Protection of Right-of-Way and/or Maintenance of Traffic is required for any development that:

  • Requires the traversing the city right-of-way during construction activity, construction set-up in City of Rockville right-of-way during work on adjacent property, and/or work on private improvements in a city easement.
  • Requires the blocking or obstructing any portion of pedestrian or vehicular traffic within a city public right-of-way or easement intended for pedestrian or vehicular use within the corporate limits of the city.
  • When maintenance of traffic or protection of right-of-way or easement is included with construction of permitted public improvements as described in subsection 21-18(1) of the Rockville city code, a separate permit is not required for work described in subsections 21-18(2)a. and subsection 21-18(2)b of the Rockville City Code.

Refer to the City Code for clarification on types of work that require this permit. Article II, Chapter 21 of the Rockville City Code.

Tips:

  • Do not start work without an approved permit. A violation could result in a code enforcement violation with a penalty fee.
  • The Department of Public Works has electronic engineering records available for request. Request records online.
  • See the Public Works “Public Improvements” if the proposed activity 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.
  • 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. 
  • The following illustrates typical protection of right of way and maintenance of traffic work in the city that require a permit: 
    • Pods and dumpsters are allowed in the ROW or easement, however it must be demonstrated they cannot safely be placed on private property, as determined by DPW. 
    • A permit is required any time that construction equipment – i.e., crane – is set up within the city ROW or easement and any other work that impacts the right of way and necessitates a closure of the sidewalk, a travel lane, a parking lane, or a detour to accommodate for construction or work on an adjacent building. This applies whether work is happening in the right of way, an easement, or adjacent private properties in the PUE. 
    • No trees, structures, or fences are allowed in city ROW or easement. Fences may be permitted in city easements as an exception when it can be demonstrated that there will be no adverse effect to the easement and a permit will be issued.
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 your checklist for required items and supporting documents.

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.