City of Dubuque Engineering

Right-of-way (ROW) is land which is owned by the City to provide a location for the construction of streets, sidewalks, and utilities. Typically, the width of public ROW is 50, 60, or 64 feet, although other widths may occur. ROW is always wider than the street. If a 50-foot wide ROW has a 26-foot wide street, then there is a 12-foot wide area behind the curb on both sides of the street which is owned by the City, providing that street is centered in the ROW. Property owners can not encroach upon public ROW with fences, walls, or buildings since this may conflict with the use of ROW for utilities and sidewalks.

The primary functions of the Engineering Department include: *Design, survey, and inspection services for City infrastructure projects including public streets and sidewalks, bridge construction, and developments to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal standards *Street Right of Way (ROW) Management *Site Plan and Subdivision Development Review *Sanitary Sewer Construction and Rehabilitation *Stormwater Management *Traffic Safety