Engineering Practice Question

[Jim Frame]

This isn't specifically pertinent to land surveying, but the question has arisen in a matter I'm currently dealing with: is the design of a residential driveway that connects a parcel to a county road, including an unimproved portion of county ROW, restricted to licensed engineers, or can a general contractor legally prepare the design? The entire driveway length is about 30', with about 10' in the ROW.

When I look at §6731 I see specific mention of "fixed works for irrigation, drainage, waterpower, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, municipal improvements, railroads, highways, tunnels, airports and airways, purification of water, sewerage, refuse disposal, foundations, grading, framed and homogeneous structures, buildings, or bridges," but nothing about driveway -- or even roadway -- design. "Municipal improvements" might be construed to cover driveways in the ROW, but wouldn't seem to include driveways on private property.

Thoughts?

[Ric7308]

Depends on what is included when you mean "design", but very likely requires a civil engineer. Any more details on what is included?

[Jim Frame]

Any more details on what is included?

Plan and profile, driveway grades, retaining wall, pavement section. The GC was working from a boundary and topo done by a land surveyor (not me). The design was done for feasibility analysis in a legal matter rather than for construction, though I'm not sure that matters.

[Ric7308]

Well, based on what you said a civil engineer is required. Anytime the grade, drainage, choosing suitable material for weight/thicknesses of the material, etc needs to be evaluated, a civil engineer is required.

[LS_8750]

The encroachment permit submittal should require a site plan per CBC Section 107.2.6. Public works folks are usually aware of that and comment to that effect. Beyond that it's just some line work and standard details. Public Works may require an engineer or may not.