Galesburg Municipal Code Ordinance Number 62-672, Section .013, Subsection .0133 states that any contractor or excavator performing work in the public Right-of-Way (terrace or street) must obtain a permit from the office of the City Engineer.

Complete information regarding work in the City Right-of-Way is available in the City's Right-of-Way Handbook.

When working in State Right-of-Way (all of North Henderson Street; all of Grand Avenue; Main Street between Henderson and Grand; South Linwood Road; West Main Street west of Linwood Road; US 34 and Interstate 74) contractors are required to obtain necessary permits from the Illinois Department of Transportation before the City will issue a permit.

All contractors are required to be bonded (General contractors $5,000 and Excavation contractors $5,000) and insured (a Certificate of Insurance General Liability 100/300/100) with the City Clerk.

Permittees are expected to protect worker safety, human health and the environment at all times while conducting the permitted work.  Excavated contaminated soil must be managed off-site in accordance with all environmental laws and regulations.

Permittees are expected to supply, provide and maintain all required traffic control in place throughout the excavation in accordance with the City of Galesburg Right-of-Way Handbook and any supplementary directives from the City Engineer or designee.  Appropriate traffic controls include signs, barricades and steel plates as necessary for street openings.  The permittee agrees to and shall keep the operations carefully barricaded, lighted at night and otherwise protected as required by the City Engineer or designee.  The City will not furnish barricades, lights, signs or steel plates except in an emergency as judged by the City Engineer or designee.

Excavators must allow two (2) working days before the City is expected to take over any opening.

All excavation work must be done to the satisfaction of the City Engineer or designee and in accordance with Chapter 97 of the City of Galesburg Municipal Code.

The City of Galesburg issues permits for:

  • Water Service Installation, Repair and Retirement (Varies) - Permits are issued by the City Engineer, but all work must be coordinated with the Water Division - 309/345-3649
  • Sanitary Service Installation and Repair (Varies) - Excavation permits are issued by the City Engineer, but all work must be coordinated with the Galesburg Sanitary District - 309/342-0131.
  • Driveways ($15) - Permits are required for any new or replacement driveway.  Driveway approaches must be six (6) inches thick, and up to thirty-five (35) feet wide at the ROW line and up to forty-five (45) feet wide at the street, but not into an adjacent property.  Driveways cannot be constructed adjacent to a property line.
  • Culverts - The Street Division installs culverts as necessary when a driveway permit has been issued.
  • Sidewalks (No Charge) - Sidewalks through a driveway must be six (6) inches thick.  Brick sidewalks must be put back in brick with a four (4) inch concrete or eight (8) inch crushed stone aggregate base and then one (1) inch of sand.  Sidewalks must comply with American's with Disabilities Act requirements or they must be removed and replaced by the permittee.
  • Dumpsters - Permits are issued to the waste company delivering the dumpster.  Dumpsters must have reflective tape and lighted barricades.
  • Trees and Landscaping ($15) - Planting or removing trees on the City Right-of-Way requires approval from the City Arborist.
  • Sprinklers (Varies) - Sprinkler systems installed on the City Right-of-Way require City Council approval.

Download the City's Right-of-Way Handbook

Contact the City Engineer for more information

or call 309/345-3623

Always call JULIE - 811 or (800) 892-0123 - before digging.