City of Saginaw, Michigan

Site Plan Review

A site plan review is a service provided where right-of-way will review plans and specifications for developments that effect City utilities, parking, traffic patterns and the public right-of-way. They will also provide recommendations to architects, engineers and developers to prepare plans that are acceptable to City standards. In addition to this, ROW identifies required permits and associated fees. The site plan review process begins with the City's Planning and Development Office located at City Hall 1435 S. Washington Avenue (989) 759-1304.

Permitting Process

Utility permits allow the City to enforce codes, ordinances and laws that protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens and public utilities. Permits are also required for the purpose of collecting fees to fund services provided by the City and also to ensure that the quality of work performed is uniform and completed according to standard practice.

Failure to purchase the appropriate permits may result in receiving a utility shut-off notice, fees being doubled, fines applied, or notice of corrective action requiring the homeowner to bring the utility up to city standard.

Permit fees can be paid with cash, check, or credit card in the Engineering Division located in the basement of the Public Services building at 1435 South Washington Avenue (located south of City Hall).

Fees and fines are established by City Council. Please Refer to the Saginaw Code of Ordinances.

Remember:

Depending on the situation, multiple permits may be required
Permit expiration dates are listed on each permit
Please allow for 3 full working days before you dig - call the MISS DIG System 1-800-482-7171

Oversize Load Permit

Water Connection Permit

Permit is required to install or replace a water service from the City's water main in the street to the shut-off box (curb stop) located in the parkway (the area between the curb and sidewalk). The water connection ties into the water service extension on private property. Water connections are installed by the Water & Sewer Maintenance Division.

Fees are calculated based on the service size and width of the right-of-way where the connection is installed
The cost may be placed on taxes for a period of up to ten years. Payments are placed on summer taxes. Accrued interest is charged on outstanding balances. The balance may be paid off by the property owner at any time
Cost of road repairs is included in the permit
Water connection permits are valid for six months.

Water Extension Permit

The water extension permit is required for any new installation, repair or replacement of a water service line between the shut-off (curb stop) in the parkway up to and including the gate valves adjacent to the meter. This permit is applied for in the Engineering Division. Inspection and water turn-on are performed by the Water/Sewer Maintenance Division.

Additional permits will be required if work extends into the public right-of-way.
Water Inspection Permits are valid for 60 days

Sewer Connection Permit

Permit is required to install or replace a sewer service from the sewer main in the street to the right-of-way line and ties into the sewer service extension on private property. Sewer connections are installed by the Water & Sewer Maintenance Division.

A Sewer investigation is suggested for properties that have sewer connections newer than 50 years old and therefore are still under warranty. Sewer Investigations are issued when a property owner has strong evidence that a warrantied sewer connection has failed due to circumstances not related to the homeowner's use of the service. Investigation cost will be treated as a Lien as not to accept payment that would have to be refunded.

Fees are calculated based on the service size and width of the right-of-way where the connection is installed.
The cost may be placed on taxes as a lien on the property for a period of up to ten years. Payments are placed on summer taxes. Accrued interest is charged on outstanding balances. The balance may be paid off by the property owner at any time.
Cost of road repairs is included in the permit
New sewer connections are warrantied for 50 years.
Sewer connection permits are valid for six months.

Meter Inspection

The Meter Inspection is required for any repair or replacement that is done at the water meter including work on the gate valves adjacent to the meter. Inspection and water turn-on are performed by the Water/Sewer Maintenance Division. Fee is applied to water bill automatically.

Meter templates can be purchased at the Water/Sewer Maintenance Division located at 1701 S. Jefferson Avenue (989-759-1612). The meter template is a temporary spacer that allows plumbing to be installed and a meter to be dropped in place at a later date.
Additional charges may apply for water billing accounting and meter installation. Contact Water Billing (759-1450) for account fees and set up. Contact Water / Sewer Maintenance Division for meter cost (759-1612).

Sewer Extension Permit

The sewer extension permit is required for any new installation, repair or replacement that is done on the private sewer service line from the right-of-way to the house foundation. This permit is applied for in the Engineering Division. Inspections are performed by the Water/Sewer Maintenance Division.

If 50 percent of the service is to be replaced, the city mandates that the entire private service must be replaced.

Sewer extension permits are valid for 60 days

Work Within Right of Way Permit

The right-of-way permit is required for any type of work that is done in the public right-of-way. This includes work done by utility companies, general contractors, and citizens. There are various fees that make up the permit depending on work performed. The right-of-way permit holds the City harmless from claims, damage, expenses and suits of every kind which may arise from operations performed by the permit holder and/or their representative within the right-of-way and also ensures that the right-of-way is restored to prior condition.

Examples of work: This is not an all-inclusive list.

Barricading of road, parkway, sidewalk, installation/replacement of curb cut, driveways, sidewalk, encroachments into Right of Way (permit issued by Building Inspections/Clerk Office) for parking, sprinklers or other type of permanent structure, installation/repair/replacement of underground utilities, water extensions, and other work as required.

While the right-of-way width varies throughout the city. The right-of-way is typically defined as the area from approximately the center of the road to approximately three feet behind the sidewalk.
Additional coordination or permits may be required for projects that impact Michigan Department of Transportation right-of-way. The following is a list of the Michigan Department of Transportation highways.

- M-46 Gratiot Avenue, Williams & Stephens Streets, Rust Street, Sheridan Avenue & Warren, Holland Avenue
- M-13 Washington Avenue & Veterans Memorial Parkway
- M-84 Bay Street
- M-81 Washington Avenue
- M-58 State Street & Davenport Avenue

Permits are valid for 60 days.

Sidewalk Permit

The sidewalk permit is required for the inspection of new installation, repair or replacement of a sidewalk within the public right-of-way.

This permit is applied for in the Engineering Division and inspected by the Engineering Division. Call 989-759-1410 for inspection of forms and grading prior to concrete placement.

Please Observe the following guidelines when planning a sidewalk project:

Typical pedestrian sidewalk shall be 4 inches thick. Weight bearing sidewalk shall be 6 inches thick.
No wire mesh is allowed
Expansion joints are required every 50 feet
Ordinance: Title IX, Chapter 96, Section 1
(Link to city sidewalk standard for construction - M Denome)
Permit fee is $25
Sidewalk permits are valid for 60 days.

Barricade Permit

The barricade permit is required to block any portion of the public right-of-way such as a sidewalk or street. This permit requires that the MMUTCD 2012 standards be implemented to ensure proper barricading, detours or lane drops are followed to ensure safety to pedestrians and vehicle traffic.

This permit is applied for in the Engineering Division and inspection is done by the Engineering Division. Call 989-759-1410 for inspection.

Please Observe the following guidelines when planning a barricade:

Additional coordination or permits may be required for projects that impact Michigan Department of Transportation right-of-way. The following is a list of the Michigan Department of Transportation highways.

M-46 Gratiot Avenue, Williams & Stephens Streets, Rust Street, Sheridan Avenue & Warren, Holland Avenue
M-13 Washington Avenue & Veterans Memorial Parkway
M-84 Bay Street
M-81 Washington Avenue
M-58 State Street & Davenport Avenue

A detailed diagram of the barricade shall be submitted at the time of application. If a lane drop is required, a detail drawing for a traffic shift is required as well.
48 hours of advanced notice of construction / barricading is required to coordinate press releases and 911 dispatch notices. Contact the Engineering Division at 759-1410 to provide notice.
Permit fee is $25.00
Barricade permits are valid for 60 days.

Curb Cut Permit

The curb cut starts as an application that is applied for in the Engineering Division and inspected by the Engineering Division. A permit to work on the curb will be issued only if the application is approved by the Engineering Division. No work shall begin prior to receiving notice from the Engineering Division.

Please Observe the following guidelines when planning a curb cut:

Curb openings must be mechanically cut, smooth and neat in appearance. No curb breaking shall be allowed.
Curb cut permits are required for opening a curb to accommodate an approach, closing a curb to eliminate an approach, or widening or moving the location of an approach.
No curb cut shall extend beyond the homeowner's property line
No curb cut shall be greater than 45 percent of the property frontage
Additional coordination or permits may be required for projects that impact Michigan Department of Transportation right-of-way. The following is a list of the Michigan Department of Transportation highways.

M-46 Gratiot Avenue, Williams & Stephens Streets, Rust Street, Sheridan Avenue & Warren, Holland Avenue
M-13 Washington Avenue & Veterans Memorial Parkway
M-84 Bay Street
M-81 Washington Avenue
M-58 State Street & Davenport Avenue

(See Curb Detail)
Permit fee is $25.00
Curb cut applications are valid for 60 days.

Engineering Permit Information