Engineering Department
The City of Greenville Engineering Department is a two-person department responsible for the following vital functions:
The Engineering Department provides a multitude of vital services to the community. The links and information below may assist your needs. If you need further assistance, please contact the Engineering Department. IMPORTANT LINKS & INFORMATION
Right of Way Permit Application
If you are working in the City right of way (generally between the sidewalk and the road), such as driveway approach work or sidewalk work, you must obtain a permit. There is no cost for the permit, but it lets us know what you are doing and whether additional permits or requirements apply
Sidewalks Repair
City Ordinance Number 30.003 requires the sidewalks to be maintained by the owner of the adjacent property. In other words, if you have a sidewalk along the street across your yard, you are responsible for maintaining it in good condition. It is in the public right of way to give the public the right to use it. If you have sidewalks with joints uneven more than ½-inch, offset or gapped cracks or badly pitted surfaces, you make necessary repairs. The City will be responsible for uneven walks only when tree roots of trees that are located in the right of way directly cause the unevenness.
If you observe faulty sidewalks, please email the Engineering Department, at dhinken@greenvillemi.org
Sidewalk Obstructions
City Ordinance Number 30.004 requires that sidewalks be kept clear of obstructions, which includes snow. If you have a sidewalk along the street across your yard, you are responsible for removing snow within 24 hours of snowfall and keeping trees branches and bushes from covering any part of the sidewalk. Generally, tree branches should be trimmed to 8-feet above the sidewalk surface.
If you observe an obstructed sidewalk, please email the Engineering Department, at dhinken@greenvillemi.org
New Sewer and/or Water Service
The appropriate fees can be determined from the Sewer/Water Connection Fee Schedule. You will also need to fill out a Right of Way Permit Application since most public utilities are in City streets and therefore you will also need to provide a Street Restoration Fee. In addition, any digging in the street will require an insured excavator do the digging (who must also provide either a $1,000 performance bond or certified cashiers check in that amount).
Please contact the Engineering Department for verification of the required fees.
Sewer and/or Water Service Repairs
If you are having trouble with your house drains, it is a good idea to contact the Department of Public Services first to make sure that the main line is clear, gdpw@greenvillemi.org or 616.754.5098.
Repairs to sewer services are the responsibility of the homeowner from the house to the main. On the other hand, repairs to the water service from the house to the curb stop, usually located near the sidewalk, is the homeowners responsibility. Water service problems between the main and the curb stop will be repaired by the Greenville Water Department.
It is recommended that repairs be made by a licensed plumber, and always call Miss Dig at 800-482-7171, three days before you do any digging.
If your repairs require you to be in City right of way, you will need to fill out a Right of Way Permit Application, have an insured excavator do the digging (who must also provide either a $1,000 performance bond or certified cashiers check in that amount) and pay the required Street Restoration Fee. Excavating contractors should review the City of Greenville Standard Specifications for Construction before beginning any work.
Documents to Download
City Engineer’s Office Doug Hinken 411 South Lafayette Street Greenville, Michigan 48838 (616) 754-5645 (616) 754-6320 - Fax dhinken@greenvillemi.org