Preliminary Meetings to Discuss Your Project

The Engineering staff is available to meet and discuss your proposed project. The Engineering Division administers the City's off-site improvement and storm water retention ordinances, utility extension policy and floodplain regulations. The staff also reviews and approves off-site improvement plans and right-of-way dedications.

 

Engineering controls all construction in the public right-of-way by issuance of permits and inspection of all improvements including water, sewer, storm drains, streets, curbs, gutters, bikepaths/sidewalks, drainage, fire lines, hydrants, street lights and other public utilities such as gas, power, telephone, and cable television.

 

Preliminary Engineering Plan Review

The staff is also available to meet and discuss preliminary design criteria, utility location and extension requirements, and drainage and floodplain requirements. All plans submitted must be 24" X 36" with printing capable of being reduced by 50% while still retaining legibility. All plans submitted should show all topography and existing utilities. In addition, minimum requirements for site plans shall consist of a legal description of property, site address and layout of all possible suites or units, owner's name and mailing address, City bench mark, trash pickup area, drainage information, and finished floor elevation.

 

Formal Plan Check

Two sets of construction plans for off-site improvements, drainage, and site plans must be submitted to the Development Services Center for Formal Plan Check. The plans are reviewed for: compliance with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Uniform Specifications and Details for work in public right-of-way and the City of Tempe supplements thereto; right-of-way and easement dedications; and conformance to City of Tempe drainage and floodplain ordinances, review of driveway locations and sizes, off-site and on-site circulation, bikepaths, street lighting, street name sign requirements, and refuse requirements. Markups denoting required plan revisions are returned for corrections and resubmittal.  Fees for Engineering plan check are paid when the first markup (redline) plans are returned to the applicant for correction.

 

Right-Of-Way Requirements

Right-of-way dedications of streets or easements may be required with the proposed development. All required dedications must be received prior to approval of Engineering plans, and issuance of a building permit.

 

Participation Charges, Development Fees and Street Light Costs

City code requires that each developer pay all water and sewer participation fees prior to issuance of a permit for extending any mains or receiving water service. Participation changes are collected to reimburse the original builder of the water and/or sewer line that the new developer to connecting to. Participation charges depend on the size and location of existing water and sewer lines and, there, are not calculated until final plans are approved. Water and sewer development fees are collected by the Development Services Center with the issuance of a building permit and are based on the approved water meter size as determined during the plan check process.

 

Issuance of Permits

Upon approval of plans separate permits are obtained for construction of water, sewer, paving and storm drains, undergrounding of overhead utilities, drainage, floodplain, refuse enclosure, street lights, and off-site improvements as applicable. Property owners, developers or contractors desiring to take out a construction permit must furnish a certificate of insurance in accordance with the limits set forth by the City of Tempe and naming the City of Tempe as additional insured. Please note that only contractors with appropriate licenses may perform work in the public right-of-way. (Please contact the Engineering Front Counter at 480-350-8288 to discuss requirements to work in the public right-of-way). They must also pay all appropriate fees. Clearance from Building Safety is required prior to issuance of any drainage permits.

 

Inspections - Certificate of Occupancy

At various stages of construction, inspections of improvements are required. Inspections during construction can be arranged by calling 480-350-8340, Option 2.

 

Upon completion of construction, a final inspection is made to ensure that all work has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. Prior to final acceptance of the improvements, three mil mylar (brown or black) as-builds must be submitted and approved. Approval from all applicable divisions must be obtained prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.