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Private Development Guide

If your private development project is in the City of Grand Rapids, you may need to meet with the City's Design Team as the first step. Learn more about the Design Team.

You're in the right place for information on the steps of the private development project review and approval process. First, you will need to submit a Preliminary Utility Plan (PUP) package, including a non-refundable deposit* to cover preliminary project administrative costs. The PUP, along with the check and a cover letter are submitted to the Engineering Department at City Hall, 300 Monroe Avenue NW, 5th floor, attention Jeff McCaul, P.E., Assistance City Engineer.

We'll review your Preliminary Utility Plan. We do this to make sure your proposed utility configuration aligns with the local service area agreement, current capacity allowances and the City's utility master plan. This review will be completed in Bluebeam by City staff. This takes about two weeks.

After we approve your PUP, there will be additional steps before you can begin construction of our public utilities and within our public right-of-way:

  • Construction drawing set submittal (Check-print)

  • Project Package submittal

  • EGLE permitting for sanitary sewer and water main (as applicable)

  • City Commission approval of documents

  • City Engineer sign-off on construction drawings

  • Pre-construction meeting

We outline each of these steps in this guide.

The deposit is in the amount of $2,525, which will be credited towards the subsequent engineering services deposit required as part of the project package submittal later in the approval process. This deposit will cover the Grand Rapids initial engineering services costs, in the event that the developer chooses not to proceed with the project prior to City Commission approval. This deposit was authorized by the City Commission on June 5, 2018, Proceeding No. 87795 and is updated annually based on the consumers price index.

You may contact Payton Novak in the Engineering Department at pnovak@grcity.us or (616) 456-3078 with any questions concerning the private development process. 

After we approve your PUP, provide us with a construction drawing set. This is a set of engineering drawings detailing the design of all proposed City utilities, as well as any right-of-way work (if the project is in Grand Rapids). The drawing set must be completed and submitted to the Engineering Department (PDF copy only).

This drawing set submittal is called the "check-print." Drawings must be completed in accordance with the current City CAD Standards. Our check-print review process will be completed using Bluebeam and will take about two weeks. During the review process, you will have access to all comments from City staff, as well as the franchise utilities.

Public Utilities Easement

Engineer’s Estimate (GR Utilities and GR ROW work only)

Performance bond or letter of credit (based on above engineer's estimate)

Certificate of Liability Insurance from Contractor

EGLE Permit Applications are processed on-line
(wastewater via Mienviro web site and water via miehdwis web site)

Front Foot Charge Payment (if applicable)

Other agreements as needed

Engineering Services Deposit (Varies by project scope and municipality location)

Example documents

The Project Package is submitted to the Engineering Department, including a drawing set and draft copies of required documents. It takes us a few days to review your Project Package. We'll provide you with feedback for any necessary revisions to documents or drawings.

You may contact Payton Novak in the Engineering Department at pnovak@grcity.us or (616) 456-3078, with any questions concerning the above documents or other requirements related to your project. 

After we approve your Project Package, the developer and property owner(s) can execute legal documents. These original documents should be submitted to the Engineering Department (typically, one original, signed document for easements and PDF copy for documents that do not need to be recorded). 

Once we get all the required final documents, we'll schedule the project on the City Commission agenda for related document approval. The time between final document submission and City Commission approval is typically two to three weeks.

Note that EGLE permit applications are drafted by the consultant via the related on-line website. The applications are reviewed and approved by the ESD/Water Department. Once the drawing set and applications are approved by the ESD/Water Department, they are reviewed, certified and submitted by the Engineering Department.

After the project is approved by City Commission, the City Engineer will sign the approved construction drawing set (Mylar title sheet).The construction drawings (as-bid set) can then be produced and pre-construction meeting can follow. After the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) permits are obtained, you can begin work on the City utilities and public ROW improvements.