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Permits for Public Works Improvements
Public Works is responsible for ensuring that new Public Infrastructure is built to City Standards, this is done through the process of permitting. While ALL Public Works Permits shall be applied for and submitted through the City of Liberty Online Permit Center the below tabs offer guidance to applicants on the City processes and requirements.
Minimum Land Disturbance Permit Requirements
All Permits shall be applied for through the City of Liberty Online Permit Center.
Any project, public or private, disturbing (1) or more acres of land within the City of Liberty are subject to storm water quality management standards in accordance with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) land disturbance requirements. Such projects require obtaining BOTH a City Land Disturbance Permit AND an MDNR Land Disturbance Permit. MDNR Standard General Land Disturbance Permits may be issued through the MDNR Permit Website. Jurisdiction-wide (MOR100) permits must still be submitted to the Department's central office.
Permit Application Requirements
City land disturbance application requirements are detailed in Section 30-23 of the Unified Development ordinance.
Tree preservation and replacement requirements are detailed in Section 30-97.4 of the Unified Development ordinance.
The following items are required to be submitted as part of the Land Disturbance permit application:
- copy of MDNR land disturbance permit
- copy of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with a defined Erosion Control Plan
- for guidance on accepted Erosion Control measures refer to the City Adopted Erosion and Sediment Control Manual
- signed copy of the Escalation & Enforcement Acknowledgement/Agreement
- permit fee payment - as defined within City of Liberty Online Permit Center.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
Any project that impacts the environment is subject to review and permitting by the MDNR. It is the developer’s responsibility to secure necessary MDNR permits by submitting appropriate permit applications, which may include City-approved project plans and applicable permit fees. Further information on MDNR permits, applications, registration and forms can be found on the MDNR website.
Minimum Right of Way Permit Requirements
All Permits shall be applied for through the City of Liberty Online Permit Center.
Right-of-Way is property owned by the City of Liberty but utilized by the general public for access and use. Right-of-way contains facilities such as roads, alleys, utilities and other public infrastructure. The right-of-way generally extends beyond the limits of the street out to the private property line located typically one foot behind the back of sidewalk. Larger roadways may have larger right-of-way areas. As noted in the diagram below, public right-of-way is a finite asset of our community. Therefore, proper management is required to maximize efficiency, ensure safety and preserve community appearance. To determine the actual right-of-way limits on a particular property you will need to check property records and/or have the property surveyed.
Color Coding in the ROW
From time to time you may see lines painted on the street in front of your property or on the property itself. These are most likely utility locations and a contractor or possibly your neighbor may have requested the locations. The colors have a distinct meaning:
- red: Electric
- yellow: Gas-Oil-Steam
- orange: Communications-CATV
- blue: Water
- green: Sanitary or Storm Sewer
- pink: Temporary Survey Markings
- white: Proposed Excavation
- purple: Reclaimed Water
Regulating the ROW
The City has the right to use and regulate what happens in public ROW. For example, unapproved signs, sight obstructions and basketball goals are not allowed. City Code Enforcement removes illegal signs from the right-of-way. City Code Enforcement may be contacted at 816.439.4539 or via email.
Maintaining the ROW
While ROW is owned by the City of Liberty, by ordinance grass, vegetation, trees, sidewalks and curb and gutter are maintained by the adjacent property owner.
Sight Obstructions in the ROW
Structures, trees, bushes and other landscaping that obstruct the vision of drivers are not allowed within the ROW. Property owners may be cited for a code violation if objects in the right-of-way adjacent to their property are interfering with traffic safety. For information on sight obstructions, contact the City Engineer's Office at 816.439.4503.
Who needs a permit?
Homeowners/renters and private utility companies must be obtain a ROW permit prior to performing any work within the right-of-way. This work may include, but is not limited to:
- replacing a:
- sidewalk
- curb
- driveway
- driveway culvert
- plumbing (water service, sewer service or irrigation)
- private utility work - construct, own, maintain, control or use
- other repairs
Fee & Permit Expiration
The fee for permit and inspection of right-of-way work is $45 per addressed parcel impacted with a maximum of $200 per unit block of street impacted. The permit is issued through the office of the City Engineer and may be paid either online or in person. Permits expire 60 days from the date of issuance.
Contractors working within the public right-of-way without a permit will be issued a stop work order until one is secured, in which case the permit fee is doubled.
Private Companies with Assets Located in Public ROW
All persons and entities maintaining, constructing or installing facilities are required to have a Franchise Agreement or ROW Use Agreement, maintain an up-to-date City occupational license and up-to-date liability insurance conforming to the requirements as detailed in the City Right-of-Way Ordinance passed Dec. 11, 2017. The Right-of-Way Ordinance allows ROW users to file an affidavit of $25 million in net assets in lieu of the right-of-way performance and maintenance bond. ROW Use Agreements are effective for 10 years and must be approved by the City Council.
ROW Use Agreement approval is driven by City Council Meeting dates and providing the necessary information in the ROW Use Agreement Application.
Private Street Plate Bridging (SPB)
Any person with a ROW Permit is authorized to use Street Plate Bridging (SPB) to cover open excavations, prior to backfill and restoring the street surface suitable for public use. All Private Street Plate Bridging shall be done in accordance with City Code Section 25-34.
Irrigation Systems
Contractors installing an irrigation system in the public right of way must obtain an occupation license in the City of Liberty and apply for both a building permit (lawn sprinkler system permit) and a right of way permit. By City ordinance, a Release for Lawn Sprinkler System waiver needs to be signed and notarized by each property owner on the deed when applying for an irrigation permit. Backflow devices must be inspected annually and reports sent in via email.
Right-of-Way Damage Report
When a building permit application is submitted for a new residential or commercial structure, a completed Right-of-Way Damage Report is required for approval. This form allows the contractor to note any pre-existing damage to:
- curbs
- drive approaches
- hydrants
- manholes
- sidewalks
- streets
- swales
- utility equipment
- water meters
- water valves
- yard inlets
At the completion of the project, the City inspects the construction area and any damage not reported on the form is required to be repaired prior to finalization of the permit.
Utilities & Easements
What Are Utility Easements?
These are areas where the utility (i.e., gas company, power utility, cable company, etc.) has permission to enter a property (public or private) to install and maintain utility facilities. A utility easement may or may not be in the public right-of-way.
Physical Utility Location
Before digging in the right-of-way or in your own yard, you are required to contact DIG RITE (800.344.7483) for utility line locations. This is to ensure the utilities are identified for safety and an appropriate distance may be maintained during excavation. DIG RITE will need three working days notification prior to digging. Private assets (irrigation lines, drain tile, yard/parking lot lighting, etc.) are not located by DIG RITE.
Utility Location for Planning
Each utility maintains its own records as to the location of their utility. Contact numbers for each utility are listed below:
| Company | Utility | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| DIG RITE Missouri One Call | Utility Locating Service | 1-800-DIG-RITE (800.344.7483) or 811 |
| Evergy | Electric Power Lines | 888.471.5275 |
| BP Pipeline | Gasoline Pipeline | 800.548.6482 |
| Spire | Natural Gas Lines | 800.582.1234 |
| AT&T | Telephone Lines | 878.618.9496 |
| Time Warner | Cable TV Lines | 816.358.8833 |
| Unite Fiber | Fiber | 866.963.4237 |
| Blue Bird | Fiber | 816.807.0145 |
Minimum Public Improvement Permit Requirements
All Permits shall be applied for through the City of Liberty Online Permit Center.
Public Improvements include any/all Street, Sanitary Sewer, Water and Storm Water projects which are to be owned and maintained by the City. As such the below Permitting Requirements have been established to act as a minimum standard of acceptance for Public Infrastructure.
Design Requirements
All Public Improvements require a planned design by a currently registered professional engineer, the engineer shall be registered within the state of Missouri. The design shall meet the the minimum standards as detailed in the City of Liberty's adopted Design Criteria and Technical Specifications.
Any and all questions in regards to City Design Criteria and Technical Specifications shall be addressed to the office of the City Engineer at 816.439.4503.
Plan Requirements
All Public Improvement Plan sets shall meet the minimum requirements of the Procedure for Public Improvement Plan Submittal.
Licensing Requirements
Any contractor performing work within Liberty shall have a current City contractor business license. Licensing is processed through the City Finance Department. License applications and related information can be found on their Occupation/Business License Page.
Bonding Requirements
All Public Improvements shall be accompanied by a 2-year Performance and Maintenance Bond. While applicants may use their own Bond template, the City does provide a Bond Template for usage .
Permit Fee
All Public Improvement Permit Fees are in the amount equal to 5% of the contract cost for the permitted improvements. Applicant shall provide an itemized breakdown of costs which in summation equal the total project cost.
Improvements within a Floodplain
All projects within a floodplain require a City Floodplain Development Permit.
Minimum Blasting Permit Requirements
All Permits shall be applied for through the City of Liberty Online Permit Center.
No person shall handle, discharge, fire or otherwise use any explosive or blasting agent within the city limits without first obtaining a permit from the city. Specific Requirements for Blasting within Liberty are detailed within City of Liberty Specification Section 7000.
Insurance Requirements
The city shall not issue a permit to use explosives without first being presented an approved blasting insurance policy in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).