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Permits, Licenses, and Inspections, Transportation and Mobility

Apply for a 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 traversing the city right-of-way during construction activity, construction setup in the city right-of-way during work on adjacent property, and/or work on private improvements in a city easement.
  • Requires 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 21-18(2)b.

Examples of typical work that requires a permit:

  • Pods and dumpsters are allowed in the right-of-way or easement, however it must be demonstrated they cannot safely be placed on private property, as determined by the Public Works Department. 
  • A permit is required any time that construction equipment, such as a crane, is set up within the city right-of-way 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 public utility easement.
  • No trees, structures, or fences are allowed in a city right-of-way 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.

Tips

How to Apply

1

Gather Materials

Review your checklist for required items and supporting documents. Visit the Construction Standards and Details page 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 Online

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 your assigned reviewer to pay any fees by credit card. View fees and schedule.

You have three options to secure your bond:

  • Performance Bond: A performance bond is an acceptable method of providing security for Public Works 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, or corporation). All signatures must be notarized. The bond must be approved by the city attorney prior to issuance of the permit and approval is coordinated through the Public Works Department. The bond must be issued for the same legal entity listed as the permittee on the Public Works Permit.
  • 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 Public Works 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 (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 and approval is coordinated through the Public Works Department. The letter of credit must be issued for the same legal entity listed as the permittee on the Public Works Permit.
  • Cash Bond: A cash bond may be used only if the amount of the security is $20,000 or less. The cash bond must be submitted with a signed and notarized cash bond form. The cash bond payment must 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 will return the funds to the permittee.
5

Check Status

Your assigned reviewer will review your application. 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.

The typical review time for first submission is:

  • Major Projects: Within 35 calendar days, and subsequent reviews are within 25 calendar days.
  • Minor Projects: Within two weeks, and subsequent reviews are within one week.
  • Single-Family Development Projects: Within four weeks, and subsequent reviews are within two 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.

Jump To

Contact

Public Works Department
240-314-8500
pw@rockvillemd.gov

Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Address
Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Apply Online