Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Lancaster requires a two (2) year, 100% maintenance bond for all public improvements constructed in the city. Public improvements are streets, sidewalks, drainage facilities, and water and sewer lines. The city has a standard bond form.

The Development Services, Engineering Division maintains current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Letters of Map Revision. We also keep on file all drainage studies that may have been completed on the various creeks within the City limits of Lancaster. Contact the Public Works Engineering Division at (972) 218-1206 with your address and we can help you determine whether or not your house or property are shown in the FEMA designated floodplain. For additional information please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website at http:www.fema.gov.

You should not construct any structures within an easement. Please contact the city at (972) 218-1200 for further clarification of your specific situation.

The city does not have surveys of private property. You will need to contact a surveyor to have one prepared.

Yes, for more information, please contact Development Services, Engineering Division at (972) 218-1200. Please visit the website for standard construction details.

A one-hundred-year flood is calculated to be the level of flood water expected to be equaled or exceeded every 100 years on average. The 100-year flood is more accurately referred to as the 1% annual exceedance probability flood, since it is a flood that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any single year.

Please contact Development Services, Engineering Division at (972) 218-1200 and they will forward your inquiry to the Floodplain Administrator. For additional information please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website at http:www.fema.gov. Please contact the city at (972) 218-1200 for further clarification of your specific situation.

The city does not provide elevation certificates. You may contact an engineer or surveyor of your choice to obtain an elevation certificate.

These situations are civil matters between the property owners. It does not violate city code for one lot to drain onto another, and you should try to perform work on your lot to help your yard drain more efficiently. It is against state code to divert or concentrate runoff, or block runoff from draining onto your property. We advise that you meet with your neighbor and discuss the problem to work toward a mutually agreeable solution. If this is not possible, consider grading swales on your property to convey the runoff around your home. If you still have drainage problems then contact the Development Services, Engineering division at (972) 218-1200.

You may contact Public Works Engineering Division at (972) 218-1206 to request information on specific projects under construction within the City. You will need the street name, type of project, and a daytime phone number for the return call.

Come to the Development Services, Engineering Division at 700 E. Main Street to submit your water, waste water and sewer plans.

From the date of plan submittal, the turn around time is 10 business days. However, the turn around time is contingent upon the submitted plans being complete with all the required items to help us complete a thorough review.