Public Works Permits

The Public Works Department authorizes permits within the City of Gig Harbor related to grading on private property, civil construction on private property, and any activity in the right-of-way. As a general rule of thumb, you probably need a specific type of permit from the Public Works Department if your project involves any of the activities listed below.

Additional assistance can be provided by contacting the Public Works Department at 253-851-6170 or visiting the Checklists, Forms & Fees page.

Encroachment (Right-of-Way) Permit Activities

  • Place an A-board Sign  in the right-of-way                               
  • Install, repair, or alter driveways or sidewalks in the right-of-way                             
  • Install, repair, or alter sign in the right-of-way                                   
  • Obstruct sight distances within the right-of-way
  • Install, repair, or alter utilities in the right-of-way                              
  • Perform any activity that will interfere with the use of the facilities located in the right-of-way
  • View Chapter 12.02 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code                                                                              

Grading Permit Activities

  • Placement of 50 cubic yards or more of any fill material or more than one foot in depth    
  • Excavation of 50 cubic yards or more of any material or more than one foot in
    depth        
  • Stockpiling of material                                 
  • Removal of natural topsoil                                 
  • Grading activities that alter a stream or water surface                               
  • Grading activities that support a building, wall, roadway, or path                             
  • View Chapter 14.40 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code                      

Civil Permit Activities                                                                 

  • Install, repair, or alter any infrastructure connected to a City utility (water, sewer, or stormwater)
  • Install, repair, or alter private stormwater infrastructure                             
  • Install civil improvements created as part of a land use permit                                
  • View Chapter 12.06 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code

Grease Interceptor Permit Activities

  • Discharge waste from a new coffee shop, bakery, or deli                     
  • Discharge waste from a new restaurant or tavern               
  • Discharge waste from any commercial kitchen, regardless of use for private or public preparation                           
  • Repair or alter existing grease traps                              
  • View Chapter 13.30 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code                                                  

Online Permit Services

Public Works Permits may be submitted to engineeringintake@gigharborwa.gov . For help with online payment services contact Permit Coordinator Patty McGallian at 253-853-7621. For Engineering permitting questions call 253-851-6170. 

  1. How long does it take to have an Encroachment Permit issued?
  2. What is the difference between a Temporary Encroachment Permit and a regular Encroachment Permit?
  3. Why is a Performance Bond Required?
  4. But I already have a Civil Permit Performance Bond, do I need another bond?
  5. I am putting up signs in the Right-of-Way for an upcoming event. Do I need an Encroachment Permit?
  6. How many sets of civil plans are required at the civil intake?
  7. How many reports are required at the civil intake?
  8. When are frontage improvements required?
  9. When are Impact fees and General Facilities Charges (GFC’s) paid?
  10. What content should be included in the Engineer’s Estimate?
  11. Does the Engineer’s Estimate have to reflect a prevailing wage scale?
  12. When is the performance bond or cash set-aside document submitted?
  13. What is the amount of the Performance Bond or Cash Set-aside?
  14. When are sanitary sewer and stormwater Maintenance Agreements required?
  15. When can I schedule a pre-construction meeting and receive my civil permit?
  16. What Stormwater Design Manual is currently used for new projects in Gig Harbor?
  17. What is Low Impact Development (LID)?
  18. Do I need a Construction Stormwater General Permit from Ecology?
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