Saginaw County Road Commission’s primary and local roads all have a public right-of-way (ROW) that is typically 66 feet wide. The ROW includes the roadbed, shoulders, ditches and adjacent land. The purpose of the ROW is to provide water drainage away from the road surface, and to provide a safety zone for vehicles that leave the roadway. Any time that a commercial business, utility or subcontractor, or a citizen wishes to work in the ROW, they must obtain a permit.
If the worksite is on a I-, M- or US-route in Michigan, your right of way permit will need to be issued from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Parcels in cities and villages will require a permit issued directly from the municipality. Visit our ‘Links’ page for city & village contact information.
Types of Permits –New Construction (includes Address & Driveway), Address, Driveway, Ditch Enclosure, Storm Sewer Tap, Miscellaneous Right of Way (Landscaping, Parade, or Road Closure), Utility Permits, Accessibility Compliance (for Land Division), Monitoring Wells, Seismographic Permit
Application – Saginaw County Road Commission’s Right-of-Way Permits are processed using a web-based permitting system called Oxcart Permits (http://www.oxcartpermits.com). See ‘Account Setup Instructions’ link below. All applicants will need to create an account. Once logged into your dashboard you will select “Right of Way” and then municipality “Saginaw Road Commission, County of” – click apply for permit. Complete all required fields and select the type of permit. Submit the application and we will review. You will receive an email once it has been approved. When you go to view the approved permit, the permit fee will be required and can be paid with a credit/debit card on Oxcart’s secured website. Review the ‘Fee Schedule’ link below for permit fees.
Processing Time – Permits will usually be processed and issued within 10 business days from the date received, provided that all required information is received at the time of application. Incomplete applications will be delayed or not processed until all required information is received. Additional processing time may be needed for complicated applications, heavy application volume, reduced staffing levels, or Road Commission priorities.
Payment – Once a permit is approved, the applicant will receive an e-mail invoice that must be paid with a charge card before permit can be viewed.
The Saginaw County Road Commission has adopted several policies to help protect and maintain our county road system. Policies were developed to ensure public safety, facilitate smooth traffic flow and protect our communities’ most precious resource, the environment. Please help us maintain our road system by following our adopted policies and obtain the proper permit for work performed in the road right of way.
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The purpose of the county wide addressing policy is to establish standards for assigning numbers to all dwellings, principal buildings, businesses and industries; and to assist emergency management agencies, the United States Postal Service and the public in the timely and efficient maintained provision of services to residents and businesses of Saginaw County. These policies are designed to eliminate addressing confusion and to create a standard system by which addresses may be assigned and maintained going forward. Changes to existing addresses will only be made when non-conformity interferes with the accurate dispatch of emergency vehicles or postal delivery as outlined in the address change section of the standards. These changes will be made when the existing property changes ownership. Please refer to the Saginaw County Addressing Policy for the complete rules and regulations for addressing assignment. (Note: The Saginaw County Addressing Policy was created to define a set of standards for all addressing instances in accordance the Saginaw County Addressing Ordinance.)
REQUIRED INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS
Proof of ownership. (Copy of deed or current tax bill – must have completed legal description)
Current tax identification number.
Survey showing the location of principal buildings driveway. (Site Plan if survey is unavailable)
All driveways for the purpose of serving the residents of a single or two family dwelling or farm yard adjacent to a farm residence shall be deemed to be a residential driveway.
All residential drives along curbed streets shall have a minimum width of 10 feet and a maximum width of 24 feet measured at right angles to the centerline of the driveway at the right-of-way line.
Residential drives along uncurbed streets or roads shall have a minimum width of 18 feet and a maximum width of 24 feet measured at right angles to the centerline of the driveway at the right-of-way line.
All driveways along uncurbed streets or roads shall meet the traveled way with a curve radius of 10 feet.
Location
No portion of a residential driveway, including the curve which meets the traveled way, shall extend beyond the property line of an adjoining parcel of property extended at right angles to the center line of the right-of-way from the point where the property line meets the right-of-way line.
No portion of a residential driveway, including the curve which meets the traveled portion of the road, shall be located closer than 50 feet to the nearest right-of-way line of an intersecting road or street except that in the case of a platted lot which does not provide enough frontage to allow for 50 feet then the nearest point shall be as far as possible but in no case less than 20 feet from the nearest right-of-way line of the intersecting street.
Joint Driveways
When both owners abutting a common property line agree they may construct a joint residential driveway which shall have a minimum width of 18 feet and a maximum width of 24 feet and shall meet all of the rules regarding the location of a residential driveway except that pertaining to location in regard to property lines.
Surface
Residential drives along uncurbed roads may be surfaced with gravel, asphalt, or concrete. Please see permit book – section 6 for further information.
Residential drives along curbed streets shall be surfaced with asphalt or concrete from the back of the curb to the right-of-way line.
Variance from these lengths may in certain instances be approved by the County Highway Engineer.
Any driveway serving cultivated fields, timber land or undeveloped land not used for industrial, commercial or residential use shall be designated a farm field driveway.
Width
All farm field driveways shall have a minimum width of 18 feet and a maximum width of 30 feet. Measured at right angles to the centerline of the driveway at the right-of-way line.
All farm field driveways shall meet the traveled portion of the roadway with a curve radius of 10 feet.
Location
No portion of a farm field driveway, including the curve that meets the traveled way, shall exceed beyond the property line of adjoining parcel property extended at right angles to the centerline of the right-of-way from the point where the property line meets the right-of-way line.
Surface
All farm field driveways shall have a minimum surface of sod to prevent erosion.
Any driveway providing access to land which is used for industrial or commercial purpose shall be deemed to be a commercial driveway. The intent of designating a use as industrial and commercial is to define those users which induce heavier traffic flow than residential use and to provide for wider access and more durable surface to handle heavier traffic. In the event of a dispute over whether or not a specific use shall be designated commercial or not, the County Highway Engineer shall make the final decision.
No portion of a commercial driveway, including the curve which meets the traveled portion of the roadway, shall extend beyond the property line of the adjoining parcel of property extended at right angles to the center line of the right-of-way from the point where the property line meets the right-of-way line.
No portion of a commercial driveway, including the curve which meets the traveled way, shall be located closer than 50 feet to the nearest right-of-way of an intersecting road or street.
Angled Driveways
When the property owner wishes to construct a commercial driveway at other than 90 degrees to the center line of the roadway to facilitate ingress and egress traffic, the near driveway on the right as approaching shall not have less than a 45 degree angle with the centerline of the road and the far driveway on the right as approaching shall not have an angle of less than 60 degrees with the centerline.
Joint Driveways
When both property owners abutting a common property line agree they may construct a joint commercial driveway which shall meet the same rules regarding width as all other commercial driveways and all of the rules regarding location of commercial driveways except that pertaining to location in regard to property lines.
Surfaces
All commercial drives along uncurbed streets or roads shall be surfaced with asphalt from the edge of the traveled portion of the road to the right-of-way line. Commercial drives along curbed streets shall be surfaced with asphalt or concrete from the back of the curb to the right-of-way line. Variance from these lengths may in exceptional circumstances be approved by the County Highway Engineer.
General
The Board of County Road Commissioners does not have jurisdiction over the use or arrangement of buildings and facilities on private property. However, it will not issue permits for parking on the right-of-way at right angles to the building off the right-of-way nor will it issue permits for the stopping of vehicles on the right-of-way at a gasoline service pump. Therefore, it is recommended that the property owner place any building to which he wishes to park at right angles at least 30 feet from the right-of-way line and to place gasoline pump islands at least 14 feet from the right-of-way line.
Wherever there is an existing ditch or the Board of County Road Commissioners or its agents install a ditch prior to the construction of any type of driveway, the County Highway Engineer shall determine whether or not a culvert is required and if so the size (diameter) and length of culvert required, and the property owner shall furnish and install the culvert so determined.
Culverts shall be installed at the distance off centerline and grade designated by the County Highway Engineer.
The driveway shall be constructed so that the highway drainage is not adversely affected by the driveway. The drainage and the stability of the highway sub grade shall not be altered by driveway construction or roadside development.
Drainage from adjacent parking or storage areas on private property in excess of existing drainage shall not be discharged into the highway drainage system.
Special Cases
In the event the property owner wishes to fill an island area between two driveways in order to landscape, the County Highway Engineer shall recommend what special structures are required (e.g. additional paved lanes, catch basins, curbing, etc.) and final approval shall rest with the Board of County Road Commissioners.
A permit is required to perform any kind of construction work or utility connection in the road right-of-way of the Saginaw County Road System. This applies to the installation of all new utilities within the road right of way including: water mains, sanitary sewer mains, storm water drainage systems, cable T.V., electric, gas and telecommunications. In addition to the conditions and restrictions of the Right-of-Way Permit, there is a Supplemental Construction Specification list which has to followed for any underground construction.
Road Crossing Open Cut
Contractor is required to hire an engineering firm to perform density testing or backfill materials to ensure compaction. In addition, if the County Engineer determines that an SCRC inspector is also necessary to oversee the open-cut operation, the contractor must pay $50.00 per hour for this inspection. Minimum charge is for two hours ($100.00) which is non-refundable.
Utility Yearly Blanket Permit
Applies to the maintenance and repair of existing facilities, as well as any necessary tree trimming. Utility company is required to submit an advance notice of permitted activity form to the Saginaw County Road Commission prior to performing any work under this permit.
A permit is required to perform any kind of work or activity in the road right-of-way of the Saginaw County Road System.
Banners
Applications must be accompanied by written & signed authorization of the local governing body having jurisdiction over said location. Applicant must also have $1,000,000.00 liability insurance.
A permit for the hanging of banners, decorations or similar objects over the traveled way of a county road in the Saginaw County road system shall be issued only if requested by an authorized official designated by a resolution of the governing body of the city, incorporated village or township in which the road lies. The designated official shall submit a copy of the resolution authorizing him to make such a request when the request is made.
All banners, decorations or similar objects overhanging the traveled way of a road shall be securely fastened. The method of fastening, points of fastening, materials used in fastening and supporting the banner, decoration, etc. shall be outlined in the request and the County Highway Engineer shall have the privilege of examining the site and details of fastening before recommending to the Board of County Road Commissioners whether to grant the permit or not.
Any banner, decoration, etc., shall have its lowest point a minimum of 18 feet above the traveled way of the road.
Parades
Applications must be accompanied by written & signed authorization of the local governing body having jurisdiction over said location. Applicant must also have $1,000,000.00 liability insurance.
A permit for closing or partially closing a road for a parade, celebration, festival or similar activity which closes the road partially or completely temporarily in the Saginaw County road system shall be issued only if requested by an authorized official designated by a resolution of the governing body of the city, incorporated village or township in which the road lies. The designated official shall submit a copy of the resolution authorizing him to make such a request when the request is made.
The permit shall indicate the time and date for closing the road and the time and date for reopening the road.
No permit shall be issued for closing a road unless adequate arrangements have been made for handling highway traffic during such closure, including, but not limited to, barricades, flashers, detours, signs, constables and special deputies to direct traffic if necessary.
Road Closure
Applications must be accompanied by written & signed authorization of the local governing body having jurisdiction over said location. In addition applications can only be approved by the Board of County Road Commissioners for Saginaw County at one of their regularly scheduled bi-weekly meetings. Deadline for submission of application is the Thursday prior to said meetings.
Under Public Act 288 of 1967 ,to comply with the land division act “Accessibility” requirements for “Development site” lots, each proposed lot in a “Development site” must have an area where a driveway can provide vehicular access to an existing road or street that meets all applicable location standards of the county road commission.
After the information and fees are received, a site inspection to determine “accessibility” will be made. To be determined “accessible” for drive location approval, there must be a system for the drainage of storm water and clear all trees as necessary to provide proper safe sight clearance for accessing a county road.
If the above conditions are met, the letter for “APPROVAL OF DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS” will then be sent to the “Property Owner” and the “Applicant”.
If clearing or drainage work is required the letter for “REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS” will then be sent. This letter will outline the specific requirements needed to obtain approval of a driveway location. When these requirements are completed, the property owner will then call and schedule a follow up inspection of the site. If the work is approved, the letter for “ APPROVAL OF DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS” will then be sent to the “Property Owner” and the “Applicant”.
Any road, public or private, not under the jurisdiction of the Saginaw County Road Commission can be abandoned if all affected owners agree to abandon the roadway. If it is determined that said owners wish to abandon jurisdiction of a roadway, a petition must be filed with the Saginaw County Road Commission. The Board of Saginaw County Road Commissioners has the right to accept or reject jurisdiction over any roadway.
Instructions
Download the following petition, fill out, obtain signatures by all affected parties and then get the petition notarized. Submit completed petition with payment to the Saginaw County Road Commission. All submitted petitions will be reviewed by the Board of County Road Commissioners to determine if the Saginaw County Road Commission will accept or reject jurisdiction over the roadway.
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