City of Portsmouth offices will re-open to the public on June 7, 2021.

We encourage our customers to continue to conduct business in a virtual/digital environment to the maximum extent practical.  If you need assistance with such, please contact 757-393-8592 to receive detailed instructions.  Should you require in person assistance, we recommend that you call 757-393-8592 to schedule an appointment between 0930 and 1530, Monday through Friday to ensure that staff is available to assist you.

Thank you. 

Duties

The duties of the department are to:

• Design, construct and rehabilitate the City’s public infrastructure
• Enhance and maintain traffic systems throughout the City’s roadway network
• Review and provide technical oversight of development within the City limits
• Provide surveying services to include, but not limited to, topographic, boundary and monumentation for City projects
• Manage the City’s Capital Improvement Projects (streets, facilities, infrastructure)
• Support acquisitions and dispositions of City owned property, easements and rights-of-way
• Provide technical support to other City departments and/or outside agencies
• Provide environmental and traffic reviews of public/private initiatives

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the department are to:

• Coordinate site plan review for development projects
• Review plot/parcel plans for land disturbance and building permits
• Coordinate construction activities within the City’s rights-of-way and easements
• Make available adequate and economical parking in the Downtown Business District
• Review Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area development plans
• Review traffic control plans and temporary street closures applications
• Issue City permits for right-of-way work and land disturbance
• Maintain the City’s horizontal and vertical controls
• Policies: Right-of-Way, Temporary Street Closures
• Requirements: Site Plan, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, Hauling Permits, Truck Routing Maps

Goals

The Goals of the department are to:

• Provide technical and engineering support services
• Provide prompt and courteous technical assistance to the citizens whom we serve
• Implement capital projects efficiently and effectively
• Actively participate in public and private development
• Certify compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Ensure work performed complies with the codes and ordinances
• Establish and maintain all policies and permitting programs
• Be proper stewards of the environment

These Departmental Goals are a reflection of City Council’s Vision Statement and Core Values.