Frequently Asked Questions

The Director of Engineering assigns and certifies all addresses within city limits. All requests should be submitted via OpenGov.

OUPS (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) markings are placed by various underground utilities to mark their lines when a request to dig or build is submitted. If you need to have your lines marked before digging in your yard, call 811 or 800-362-2764.

Easements are for streets and utilities that provide benefit to the property. Easements should be noted on the property owner's deed. If assistance is needed, contact the Department of Engineering at (614) 342-4050.

The Director of Engineering assigns and certifies all addresses within city limits. All requests should be submitted in writing to engineering@gahanna.gov. A site plan/map detailing the location of the proposed building or lot and its vicinity must be included in the request.

A certified address is an address that is assigned and certified by the Director of Engineering for addresses within city limits. 

Click here to access the City's GIS Mapping Resources.

The annual street maintenance program is determined by the City Engineer based on the street ratings and the annual allocated budget. Rating the condition of all City-maintained streets is completed bi-annually. The following criteria determine a street's rating: extent of cracking, concrete condition, crack seal condition and pavement defects.

The major work items planned for your street are as follows: 

Asphalt Overlay:

• Approximately 3" of deteriorated asphalt will be milled and a new course of asphalt laid in its place.
• Spot curb and gutter repair will be completed.
• ADA curb ramps will be replaced when needed.
• Sidewalk maintenance will be preformed on these overlay streets (50% cost share applied). 

Rebuild:

• Complete removal and replacement of the roadway and curb.
• Removal and replacement of your driveway approach.
• Sidewalks, ADA curb ramps and driveway approaches will be completely rebuilt. 

The contract allows for a complete roadway closure of 15 business days. There will be additional intermittent interruptions to traffic for the work, but full closures should be limited to approximately 15 business days (weather dependent). 

The City will provide dumpsters at designated locations for each street rebuild project. 

During the street rebuild roadway closure, parking will be available on adjacent roadways in the area. We understand the inconvenience of hauling groceries, etc. long distances to your home. Wagons will be provided help transport heavy loads from your home to your vehicle and vice versa.

Door hangers will be provided throughout construction to provide residents with any pertinent notifications or updates regarding the roadway construction.  The contractor will also place no parking signs detailing the needs for off street parking restrictions.  You can also signup for electronic notifications through the City website.

General construction hours shall be ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Monday through Saturday. The contractor will not be allowed to perform work on City observed holidays.

The contractor is not permitted to close any rebuild streets before the second week of May  and they must be completed by mid-August, weather permitting.  

The program areas will follow the Gahanna Street Programs, which update curb ramps and crosswalks to be ADA compliant. This approach will allow the City to create a continuous ADA compliant pedestrian route within the program area.

Section 729.01 of the Ohio Revised Code provides for municipalities to require property owners to maintain the sidewalk that abuts their property. It is also a requirement set forth in City of Gahanna Ordinance 521.06. The City offers a 50% cost share program for property owners who have the work completed by the City and their contractor. Property owners who opt-out are not eligible for the 50% cost share.

No. Property owners may hire a private company or complete the repairs themselves. A right-of-way permit will be required prior to beginning any work, which details the specifications for sidewalk repairs.

Street trees that are on the prohibited tree list within the City’s Comprehensive Landscape Plan will be removed. This will include stump grinding and root bulb removal. Non-prohibited street trees identified as the cause of needed maintenance will be evaluated by the City Arborist to determine if tree removal or root pruning is necessary. Trees on private property that are the cause of needed maintenance will be root pruned by the City. No trees on private property will be removed by the City.

When the property owner participates in the program, the City will pay for the removal of identified street trees at no cost to the owner. Property owners who opt-out of the program will be responsible for the cost of tree removal and pruning.

Property owners who opt-out of the program will not be required to remove street trees. The City will not remove street trees for property owners who opt-out of the program.

The City will not replace street trees. However, a property owner may replace the tree on their own and at their own expense. All new or replacement trees within the right-of-way shall be approved by the City Arborist. A right-of-way permit will also be required prior to beginning any work.

Clearing sidewalks and driveway approaches are the responsibility of the property owner. City Code states "No owner or occupant of abutting lands shall fail to keep sidewalks, curbs or gutters in repair and free from snow, ice or any nuisance." (ORC 723.011) Please report all code violations to the City's Code Enforcement Officer at 614-342-4028.

Revisions need to be submitted to the Department of Engineering for review and approval. These revisions must be submitted to engineering@gahanna.gov. The Subject of the email should include the PV # or Public Improvement #, Type of Revision, and Revision #. An example Subject would be “PV-1000 – Sanitary Sewer Revision 1”. The revisions to the approved plans should be redlined onto the approved plan set.

Commercial projects are required to complete the Department of Engineering’s formal site civil engineering review process and submit payment for all applicable fees. A flowchart describing our process can be viewed here, Site Civil Engineering Review Process. All appliable fees are described in the Engineering Fee Schedule. The Private Development Checklist may be reviewed for more information regarding the specific requirements for private development projects. 

Residential projects including fence, shed, pool, deck, and other similar structures will require a basic site plan that details the location of the proposed improvement, existing easements, scenic areas, and no-build zones. Be advised, there may be additional requirements from other Departments such as permits and fees for these projects.