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1. What are the permit, bonding, and insurance requirements to work in rights of way in Ponca City?

If you intend to perform construction that is within public rights of way including sidewalks, streets, curbs, and gutters, or make connections to city-owned utilities, a permit must be obtained from the City Engineering Department by a bonded and insured contractor performing the work. Questions about this permit can be addressed to the Ponca City Engineering Department at (580) 767-0326. The insurance and bond requirements are found in Title 9, Chapter 2, Section 5 of the municipal code as shown below.

No person shall construct, reconstruct, repair or remove any pavement, walk, drive, curb or gutter within any public way or make any excavation therein without having first complied with the following requirements:

A. Insurance: Having filed with the city clerk a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the state of Oklahoma, in the minimum amounts as prescribed below:
Comprehensive liability, each individual $50,000 .00
Property damage, per accident $25,000 .00
Aggregate amount, each occurrence $100,000 .00

All liability insurance policies shall name the city of Ponca City as an additional insured and shall otherwise indemnify the city from any claim arising out of any act, omission, or negligence on the part of a person insured.

B. Bond for Publicly Negotiated Projects: Having deposited with the city an approved performance bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) conditioned that the contractor and/or his surety will remove any work not executed in accordance with the specifications hereinafter set forth, and replace the same to the satisfaction of the city; provided that this provision shall not apply to a public utility concern having a franchise for the use of the public ways.

C. Bond for Right of Way work not a part of a Publicly Negotiated Project: Having deposited with the city an approved permit or license bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) conditioned that the contractor and/or his surety will remove any work not executed in accordance with the cities ordinances, standards and regulations, and replace the same to the satisfaction of the City. By way of explanation and not as a limitation, this provision is intended to include driveway improvements located within the public rights of way. Additionally, a permit shall be obtained as described in section 9-2-6.

2. What other regulations or permits are required for construction in Ponca City?

Floodplain Development Permits Any development within the Special Flood Hazard Area identified in the Flood Insurance Rate Map or in the Ponca City Stormwater Master Plan will require a Floodplain Development Permit from the City of Ponca City. Development is defined as any manmade changes to any improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, changes to buildings or other structures such as mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling operations. Your actions should not result in raising flood waters and causing other damage. If you see construction or filling dirt within a floodplain, but no Floodplain Development Permit is posted on the site, call the City. For more information about Floodplain Development Permit or to report unpermitted activity within the floodplain, contact the Ponca City Development Services Department at (580) 767-0383 or Ponca City Engineering Department at (580) 767-0326.  Stormwater Detention Requirements The City of Ponca City prohibits an increase in stormwater runoff by development of all new commercial / industrial development projects and residential development above a certain size or in a critical area. This requirement is met by storing stormwater on site and releasing it at a controlled rate. Questions about these requirements can be addressed to the Ponca City Engineering Department at (580) 767-0326. Stormwater Discharge Permits If you are planning construction activities that will disturb more than one acre you must have a Stormwater Discharge Permit from the Oklahoma State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Certain industrial activities also require DEQ permits to discharge uncontaminated stormwater runoff. More information on DEQ stormwater permitting can be found on their website. Additional stormwater pollution prevention information can also be found on the City website on the Stormwater Information page or by calling (580) 767-0453.