Engineering Services - Right of Way

Traffic Residential Guidelines

The Traffic Residential Guidelines provides information about the standards and policies that the City of Houston Traffic Department requires and searches for in a plan submittal.

Traffic Residential Guidelines Key Sections

• Existing Driveway Removal
• Driveway Pavement
• Sidewalk
• Trees in the Right of Way
• Sidewalk Score
• Existing Right of Way Conditions
• Sidewalk Taper
• Driveway/Sidewalk Detail
• Water meter & manhole
• Driveway Placement on Corner Lot (Residential)
• Driveway Width and Radius
• Visibility Triangle
• Garage Set Back Line
• ADA Ramps
• Encroachment – Driveway Radius
• ADA Ramp/Walkway Culvert
• Driveway Culvert
• ADA Ramp at T-intersection
• Ditch Dimension
• Offset Distance – Storm Inlet
• Driveway Culvert Spacing
• Offset Distance – Fire Hydrant

Traffic Residential Checklist

Note: The guidelines provided below are the most common standards and policies that are mistakenly and inaccurately illustrated in a plan submittal. These are not the complete standards and policies, please refer to the PDF Checklist (above) and the City of Houston Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) for the complete standards and policies.

Street Type

There are two main street types that are commonly found in the right of way, a Curb and Gutter Street and an Open Ditch Street. It is the duty of the applicant to determine the street type and illustrate it correctly on the site plan.

       Curb and Gutter Street

A Curb and Gutter Street must be depicted on the site plan with double lines representing the curb and labeling the edge of the pavement for indication.

       Open Ditch Street

The existing ditch must be shown on the site plan, label the centerline and high banks of the existing ditch. No curb is allowed in an open ditch street.

Existing Driveways

Show the location of any existing driveway, Call out on the site plan if the existing driveway will remain or will be remove. If the existing driveway is to remain it must be updated to City of Houston

Existing Driveways

Show the location of any existing driveway, Call out on the site plan if the existing driveway will remain or will be remove. If the existing driveway is to remain it must be updated to City of Houston standards.

Sidewalks (October 1, 2020)

Please be advised that a new sidewalk ordinance went into effect October 1, 2020. Planning department will approve all sidewalk widths and locations. For more information, please visit: http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/.

** Traffic only reviews for  applicability of sidewalk construction details.**

Note: If a sidewalk was submitted prior to October 1, 20202, the review will follow the process and criteria in place at the time of the first submittal. However, the applicant can elect to follow the new ordinance. The Planning Department will approve all sidewalk widths and locations.

Driveway Width and Radius (COH IDM Chapter 15, sec 15.08-1 [a to g])

Proposed driveway needs to be of consistent width within the right of way and can taper or flare into desired width inside the property line. Driveways must remain tangential for a minimum of 20 ft. past the property line. Minimum driveway width is 12 ft and minimum driveway radius is 4 ft.

Encroachment - Driveway Radius (COH IDM Chapter 15, sec 15.08-1.g.5)

Call out the distance between the edges of the proposed driveway to the closest property line. The distance from the driveway to the nearest property line must be greater than or equal to the driveway radius.

Driveway Culvert (COH IDM Chapter 9, sec 9.05-F.3.c)

Provide driveway culvert and label its length, type (RCP/HDPE), and diameter. Minimum culvert size shall be 24 inch or equivalent (elliptical or arch pipe). Install headwall at both sides of inlet and outlet of the culvert. Do not extend the culvert, match culvert length to the driveway width.

Driveway Culvert Spacing (COH IDM Chapter 15, Table 15.08.02 - (5))

If the distance between the proposed driveway culvert(s) and/or neighboring culvert is less than 8 ft long, options shall be considered to address maintenance challenges and may include provision of a junction box with grate top to connect the two culverts. Attach and refer to Dwg No. 02081-06.

Driveway Placement on Corner Lots (Residential) (COH IDM Chapter 15, Table 15.08.02)

Provide the distance between the driveway and the property line near the street intersection, the minimum distance required between the driveway and property line is 20 ft.

ADA Ramps (COH IDM Chapter 17, sec 17.06-A.6)

ADA compliant Wheel chair ramps with truncated domes must be provided at all street intersections.  Provide ADA ramps showing all the conflicts with traffic signs, fire hydrants, power poles and light poles. The sidewalks and ramps must be sloped as per ADA and TAS requirements.  Provide and refer to the standard details Dwg No. 02775-02 and 02775-06.

ADA Ramps/Walkway Culvert.

Provide ADA Ramp/walkway culvert and label its length, type (RCP/HDPE), and diameter. Minimum culvert size shall be 24 inch or equivalent (elliptical or arch pipe). Install headwall at both sides of inlet and outlet of the culvert. Do not extend the culvert, match culvert length to the ramp/walkway width.

Appointments

You may schedule a review appointment via the online Appointment Scheduler at https://cohcal.cxmflow.com/AppWizard/AppDepartment.aspx

(Click - Office of City Engineer\Traffic Plan Review/Permits)

Please keep in mind that rejected plan review meetings are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Helpful Links

ADA Ramp Standard Details

Standard Details

Houston GIMS

To remove and replace a sidewalk, driveway, or curb and gutter in-kind, complete the application below and upload it to ProjectDox:

• Sidewalk Driveway Permit Application (CE1023) 

Sidewalk Panel Replacement Program

Sidewalk Replacement Guide

Residential homeowners may repair and replace portions of an existing sidewalk without a permit or bond if the area of repair and replacement:

• Is within the homeowner’s own property lines
• Does not include any portion of the driveway, and
• Is reconstructed in-kind and in accordance with City standards.

The work may be completed by the homeowner or a contractor. It is the responsibility of the homeowner or contractor to contact Houston Parks & Recreation Department’s Urban Forestry if the sidewalk panel to be repaired and replaced is near existing tree roots.

This program does not apply to sidewalk panels associated with new construction, remodeling, or rebuilding of a residential property. This program excludes commercial properties.

Residential Sidewalk Panel Replacement Forms

• A notice of replacement must be filed with the Office of the City Engineer at least 2 business days prior to work.
• A notice of completion must be filed no later than 5 business days after completion. The sidewalk will not be inspected by City staff.

All Commercial properties requiring a Traffic review need an approved Access Management form. The form can be found here: 

•    Access Management Data Summary

Submit all completed forms to: @houstontx.gov for review.

Per the City’s Infrastructure Design Manual Chapter 15, The Access Management form will determine if a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) is required. TIA’s should be submitted here for review: [email protected]

Send scoping meeting requests to: 

[email protected]. Scoping meetings are held every 2 weeks. Scoping meeting requests must be sent a week before for scheduling together with the complete necessary documents. 

Scoping Meeting Documents: 

1) A copy of the Access Management Form

2) The civil site plan

3) The proposed scope of work including the intersection(s) to be studies

4) Proposed trips distribution

5) Trips assignments (including the driveways volumes). Provide all meeting exhibits and/or handouts

6) Current Traffic studies referenced in the Access Management Form

7) Provide all meeting exhibits and/or handouts

A typical TIA  scoping meeting agenda is provided  below.

*** TIA Scoping Meeting - Typical Meeting Agenda***

Effective January 1, 2021 all new TIA submittals shall follow the required formatting, where applicable, to be considered administratively complete and to start the TIA review process. If the TIA is not administratively complete it will be returned to the applicant. A TIA review will not begin until the City has determined if the submitted TIA is administratively complete per the attached guide and Chapter 15 of the IDM. 

TIA required formatting link:

TIA Content Guide and OCE Format Requirements Update 12_22_2020

Information regarding CHAPTER 40 - ARTICLE XV HOUSTON CODE OF ORDINANCES