Below are requirements, fees, and additional information for obtaining permits for work within the Department of Roads right of way.
Residential approach and landscaping
- MCDR must be contacted to determine the diameter of the culvert.
- Minimum length is 24 feet.
- End sections are required.
- Culvert shall be either reinforced concrete or approved corrugated steel.
- Landscape culvert does not have to be reinforced. Plastic pipe is not allowed.
- Catch basin locations will also be determined by the Department of Roads.
- Permit fees apply.
Commercial and utility construction
- Four (4) copies of the signed and sealed engineering site plan must be submitted to the Department of Roads for approval.
- Cash advance amounts are determined when the plan is approved.
- A review fee of $300 for commercial and $100 for utility companies shall be paid when the plan is submitted.
- Permit fees apply.
Inspection fees
- Field inspection fees are $70 per hour for regular time and $90 per hour for overtime, Monday through Friday (holidays and all other hours shall be considered overtime).
Inspection notification
- A twenty-four (24) hour notice is required for field inspection prior to the start of construction within the right of way.
- Failure to do so will result in an additional charge of four (4) hours of regular time.
Insurance requirements
- The Certificate of Insurance must list the Macomb County Department of Roads as the "Certificate Holder" and "Additional Insured" and is required prior to the issuance of any residential, commercial, industrial construction or special move (cab card) permit.
- The Certificate of Insurance must accompany the permit application and shall remain in effect at all times during the construction process and during special moves. Failure to do so will result in the invalidation of the issued permit.
Please note: All permits will expire one year from the date of issuance. Renewal may be obtained for an additional year upon payment of the permit fee. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the cash advance accompanying the permit.
Permit and administrative fees
Approach Permit
- Residential: $35 per lot*
- Commercial: $250 per lot*
Ditch Enclosures
- Residential: $35 per lot*
- Commercial: $250 per lot and inspection
Construction within the Right of Way
- Overhead installations: $250 and inspection
- Underground installations: $250 and inspection
- Annual maintenance municipality: No charge
- Annual maintenance privately owned: $450 and inspection (includes service line)
- Residential Storm Taps (rear yard drains): $35 and tap fee (inspection fee when crossing road)
- Tree trimming or removal: No charge
- Surveying within the right of way: $75
Site Plan Review
- Commercial: $300
- Utility: $100
- Churches, municipalities, and schools: No charge
Special Uses
- Banners, parades, Adopt-A-Road: No charge
- Storm tap: $125
- Seismic testing: $250 and inspection
- Road bond: $250*
- Monitoring wells: $250*
Transportation
- Annual cab card permit: $100
- Single move: $25
- 30-day permit: $100
- Building move: $200 per building or part
- Building moves not exceeding 14' width, 14' height, or 75' length: $25
Inspection
- $70 per hour regular time
- $90 per hour overtime
Special Move (Cab Card)
Permit examples include mobile crane, lowboy, over length or over width trailers, earthmovers, and pole trailers. A combination of a tractor and trailer is considered one (1) unit. Cab cards will be issued to tractors with interchangeable trailers.
- $100 per unit
- The effective date of the "cab card permit" is May 1 to April 30
- Permit fees are to be paid when the original application for the permit is filed.
Please note: Permits will not be issued for oversize or overweight vehicles or loads which can be readily dismantled, reduced, or otherwise rearranged to come within legal limits, or, loads that exceed 12'6" in width, 14' in height, 75' in length, or exceed a gross weight of 140,000 lbs.
*Deposit is also required.
Fees are subject to change according to Department of Roads policy.