Development & Contractors

Stormwater

A Drainage Study meeting the requirements of the City’s Stormwater Management Criteria (PDF)(PDF, 5MB), as detailed in Section 10, is required for all projects not excluded within the criteria or granted a waiver by the City Engineer. Developers may request a waiver from preparing a drainage study by preparing a letter addressed to the City Engineer referencing specific conditions of the management criteria or site. Commonly referenced exclusions include projects that do not increase the overall impervious surface by more than 10% (Section 1.6.E.2.C), improvements on any site having a gross land area of 0.5 acres or less (Section 1.6.E.2.D), or construction of any one new single-family or duplex dwelling unit (Section 1.6.E.2.E). Land Development Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas April 1, 2026 Edition Article 13 includes stormwater Management Criteria in addition to the 1995/ 2025 Stormwater Management Criteria. To meet the requirement cited under 20-1304(e) Best Management Practices (1), “All development that meets the threshold requirements of the MARC/APWA Regional Stormwater Criteria (RSC) shall be designed so that precipitation runoff flowing from the site is managed in accordance with best management practices (BMPs), as identified in the RSC, to mitigate impacts of increased runoff and stormwater pollution and promote infiltration into sub-soils to remove pollutants, regenerate groundwater supplies, and reduce subsidence rates”, a MARC Compliance Calculator is required with applicable development applications.

Traffic Impact Study (TIS)

A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) meeting the requirements of theCity Code Section 16-1102 (PDF)(PDF, 1MB) and MSO Design Criteria Appendix I (PDF)(PDF, 314KB) is required for all commercial projects and all residential developments of 11 or more lots/dwelling units. This study is typically known as a “Seven-Step Traffic Study.” If the study indicates that the development will generate 100 or more trips in the peak hour, additional analysis may be required as directed by the City Engineer. Developers may request a waiver from preparing a TIS by preparing a letter addressed to the City Engineer referencing specific conditions of the City Code or site.

Downstream Sanitary Sewer Analysis (DSSA)

A Downstream Sanitary Sewer Analysis (DSSA) meeting the requirements ofAdministrative Policy No. 76 (PDF)(PDF, 16KB) is required for all projects. For projects on any site having a gross land area of 1 acre or more, a DSSA based upon land area and the capacity of existing downstream sanitary sewer infrastructure is required.

• Wastewater Design Flows Spreadsheet(XLS, 50KB)
• DSSA Cover Letter Template(DOC, 24KB)

For capacity information of the existing system, contact the Engineer of the Day atMSO-EoD@lawrenceks.gov for an export of the City’s sanitary sewer model. For projects on any site having a gross land area of less than 1 acre or projects remodeling existing buildings, a Fixture Count Analysis is sufficient.

• DSSA Fixture Count Analysis Worksheet(XLS, 30KB)
• DSSA Fixture Count Analysis Cover Letter Template(DOC, 24KB)

Additional information regarding the City’s wastewater infrastructure may be found in the2012 Integrated Wastewater Utilities Plan (PDF)(PDF, 59MB).

The initial layout of site improvements and utilities are often performed as part of the Preliminary Plat and Site Planning processes during the Planning and Development Services' review procedure. These documents are not construction documents and should not be treated as such. Public Improvement Plans (PIPs) meeting the City’s Land Development Code (PDF)(PDF, 9MB) and the MSO Department’s current Plan Preparation & Design Criteria (PDF(PDF, 15MB)) are required for all public infrastructure (such as streets and utilities) and may be required for all other infrastructure installed within City right-of-way or easements (such as sidewalks and driveway approaches) at the direction of the City Engineer. Review comments provided by City Staff as part of the associated Planning & Development Services review process (such as a Site Plan or Minor Subdivision) or contact the Engineer of the Day at MSO-EoD@lawrenceks.gov for guidance regarding the necessity of PIPs for a given project.

Plan Review Steps

1. Request a Project Number and schedule pre-design meeting – Send a completed Public Improvement Plan Project Request & Tracking document (PDF) to MSO-EoD@lawrenceks.gov. Engineering staff will respond with a project number and assign an Engineer to manage the PIPs and be your point of contact. Engineering Staff and Design Consultant shall meet to discuss scope of design.
2. Submit Initial Plans – Send plans via email to the assigned City Project Manager for distribution/review (10 business days is the typical review period for initial submission).
3. Respond to City Comments and Resubmit – Provide written response/acknowledgment of all City comments and resubmit via email to the assigned City Project Manager for distribution/review (5 business days is the typical review period for subsequent submissions).
4. City Approves Plans – The City Engineer or designee will approve and sign the plans. Sanitary Sewer plans will be submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for review/approval if needed (KDHE review typically 3-4 weeks).

Projects performing work within the Right-of-Way require an approved ROW Permit and may require a Temporary Traffic Control permit depending on project conditions. View the City’s Right-of-Way Management webpage for more information.

Learn more about Erosion Control on the City's Stormwater webpage: Lawrenceks.gov mso/stormwater

Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Municipal Programs

Water and sewer services no longer needed at a property are to be formally abandoned to City specifications. Water and sewer service abandonment is typically a requirement of the PDS demolition permit at the time of demolition. Contact James Reusch at 785-423-3391 or MSO Admin at 785-832-7800 24 hours prior to coordinating work to facilitate inspection.

Process Steps

1. Pre-Construction
   • Approved Plans – Provide an approved site plan or other layout documents to the Engineer of the Day (MSO-EoD@lawrenceks.gov). Engineering staff will assign an Engineer to manage the project and be your point of contact.
   • Approved Submittals – Send material submittals via email to the assigned City Project Manager for review (10 business days is the typical review period for initial submission).
     • Material Specifications
   • Approved Permits (ROW)
     • Apply for ROW and Temporary Traffic Control Permits as required
   • Approved Service Agreement(s) [required only for water meter installation]
     • Apply for water service
   • City Staff will provide the contact information for the assigned Project Inspector
2. Construction
   • Follow City Requirements
   • Coordinate with Inspector – Provide 24 hours’ notice before beginning construction. Work shall not be performed on weekends or City holidays.
3. Closeout
   • Payment of Inspection Fees
4. Warranty – 1 year

General Information

Financial guarantees such as a Escrow Agreement or Letter of Credit are required prior to construction as specified inCity Code Section 20-811.H (PDF)(PDF, 8MB). Work constructed as part of a PIP is subject to a 3% inspection fee based upon final construction costs as described in Administrative Policy No. 92 (PDF)(PDF, 13KB). Additionally, a sanitary sewer post-installation CCTV inspection fee is assessed on all main line sanitary sewer installed as part of a PIP on a per linear foot basis (View Sanitary Sewer Inspection Fees (PDF)(PDF, 154KB)). Inspection fees are due when the project reaches final completion. The City utilizes e-Builder as a project management software to manage documents, submittals, and pay applications. Access to the system may be provided to project participants including the developer, architect/engineer, and contractor as needed. Contact either your assigned Project Manager or e-builderadmin@lawrenceks.gov for login information.

Process Steps

1. Pre-Construction
   • Signed/Itemized Bid – The bid is to be based upon the quantities included within the approved PIPs and signed by the contractor performing the work.
   • Letter of Assurance or Letter of Escrow – Amount to be equal to or more than the signed bid and indicated that funds are to be distributed at the direction of the City Engineer or designee
     • Letter of Assurance Example Document(DOCX, 12KB)
   • Approved Submittals – Submittals are to be routed for review through e-Builder. Contact the assigned City Project Manager for a register of required submittal documents.
     • Material Specifications
   • Approved Permits – A ROW Permit is required for all PIPs. Additional permitting such as Erosion Control or Sanitary Sewer Extension Permit (KDHE) may be required. Contact the City Project Manager for more information.
     1. An Operational Impact Assessment (OIA) meeting may be required to coordinate projects that result in significant impacts to traffic flow, utility operations, etc.
   • Approved Service Agreement(s) [required only for water meter installation]
     • Apply for water service
   • Pre-Construction Meeting – The City will facilitate a pre-construction meeting with the project expectations are discussed and the assigned City Project Inspector is introduced. This is typically separate from the Pre-Construction Meeting facilitated by PDS though the two may be coordinated if so desired by the applicant.
2. Construction
   • Follow City Requirements – Follow City Specifications and expectations outlined within the Pre-Construction Meeting.
   • Coordinate with Inspector – Provide 24 hours’ notice before beginning construction. Work shall not be performed on weekends or City holidays.
   • Pay Applications – To be submitted through e-Builder once per month. Retainage held at the direction of the developer.
3. Closeout
   • Payment of Inspection Fees – The City will document and invoice inspection fees based upon the final construction cost and installed sanitary sewer footages. Payment for inspection fees is due within 30 days of the invoice date. Failure to pay required fees may result in PDS withholding issuance of a Final Certificate of Occupancy Permit.
4. Warranty – 1 year
   • CCTV Post Inspection – Performed on sanitary sewer infrastructure approximately 9 months after installation.
   • Warranty Inspection – Performed on project public improvements approximately 11 months after final completion.