Engineering Q & A

Select the topic to see related questions and answers.

• Plan Check & Bond
• Grading Permit and Standard Specification
• Agreement Forms & Overtime 
• Sewer Connections, Additional Drive, and Front Yard Fences
• Block Party Permits and Traffic Signals

Plan Check & Bond Questions

• What is your plan check process?
  Tract Improvement Plans
  First, Improvement Plans must be submitted in a complete package. (See Plan Submittal Requirements. All plan checks, with the exception of the second plan check are checked by the City's outside consultant. You may not speak with them directly. The City staff then looks at the perimeter of the project area and reconciles the plans with any plans that are currently being reviewed or have just been approved. Due to the current building boom there are over 85 sets of plans in the plan checking process. Each tract is different in size and complexity and the amount of time will vary from plan to plan. We cannot standardize a timeframe as to when plans will be done.
  
  Second, plan checks are sent directly back to the Engineer of Record once our consultant has reviewed the plans.
  
  Commercial Plans
  Improvement Plans must be submitted in a complete package. They will be checked in-house as received. Please note that subsequent submittals shall be checked prior to first submittals.
• What is the status of my plans?
  Call 760.243.6355 or 760.955.5162 to find out about the status of Commercial Plans, Improvement Plans or LMAD/ DFAD (Landscape or Wall Plans).
  
  Call 760.243.6357 to find out about the status of Parcel Maps of Final Tract Maps.
• Where can I get answers to questions about my plan check comments?
  Please submit your questions in writing along with any graphics that may be helpful by faxing 760.955.5159 or you may email them directly to the Engineering Department.
• What is your bond release process?
  A letter requesting that a specific bond for a particular tract is submitted along with a vicinity map (8.5”x11”) depicting the location of the tract. The superintendent of the project must schedule a bond walk with an Engineering Inspector for that tract. The inspector will provide a punch list to the superintendent. Once the punch list is completed, the inspector is called and another meeting is rescheduled. The inspector signs off that all items have been completed and approved. The inspector will then provide written notification of approval to the Associate Civil Engineer in the Development Division of the Engineering Department. The Associate Civil Engineer will then place the bond request on the next available City Council Agenda for the appropriate action to be taken.

Grading Permits & Standard Specifications

• How do I get my grading permit?
  For Tracts
  Once all of the improvement plans have been signed and the bonds are received and all items on the checklist have been completed and the Final Tract Map has been scheduled for City Council, then two approved signed and grading plans will be routed to the Building Department for processing.
  
  For Commercial
  The Engineering Department only reviews the grading plans of commercial projects that move more that 5,000 cubic yards of dirt or have street, storm drain and/or sewer improvements also required within the public right-of-way. Once all of the improvement plans have been approved and signed, then two approved and signed grading plans will be routed to the Building Department for processing.
  
  To find out about obtaining a Grading Permit through the Building Department, please call 760.955.5102
• Where can I get the Standard Specifications For Public Works Improvements? You can pick up a copy at the Engineering Department counter for a fee of $10.78. They are also available as an Adobe PDF document by following this link Standard Specifications 

Agreement Forms & Overtime

• I need the Utility Surety Agreement, Development Agreement, and Subdivision Agreement forms and instructions on how to fill them out properly.
  These forms are posted on this website in the Forms Library. Directions and blank forms are available in PDF format.
• Can we pay overtime to move our project ahead of others?
  No. All projects are taken in the order the full submittal package is received. They are kept in that order per the date stamp placed on the cover sheet of each set of the plans. NO EXCEPTIONS.
•  Can the Engineering Department recommend a good Engineering Firm to hire?
  The Engineering Department does not provide recommendations.

Sewer Connections, Additional Drive, and Front Yard Fences

• Is sewer available to my property?
  Please provide the department with the following information for research: Lot number and Tract Number or Assessor's Parcel No. (APN).
  
  Note: Property must be within the City limits of the City of Victorville. City sewer is not accessible to any property outside the City limits even though there are portions of County property within the City limits.
•  Can I have an additional drive approach?
  An inspector would be dispatched to the site to determine if this is possible.
• Can I put up a wall/fence in my front yard? 
  An inspector is dispatched and right-of-way is determined. If allowed, maximum height is 36 inches.

Block Party Permits and Traffic Signals

•  I want to close off my residential street to have a block party, what permits are required?
  This is not allowed. City streets and sidewalks are public right-of-way and cannot be closed to through traffic.
•  I would like to have a traffic signal or stop sign installed at an intersection.
  Please submit your request in writing to the City Engineer with all particular information. A traffic study will be generated to determine if warrants are met for your request.