Infrastructure Division

Infrastructure Plan Review Center (IPRC)

The Infrastructure Plan Review Center (IPRC) is responsible for the project management of new public infrastructure improvements, also known as developer-funded infrastructure improvements, associated with residential, commercial, and industrial development.

IPRC responsibilities include:

• Preliminary and final plan review

• Contract specification review

• Easement document review

• Acceptance of plans for construction

• Coordination with the developer’s engineer during the construction phase of the project

New development civil construction plans are submitted electronically to IPRC through Accela. Using a multidisciplinary team of professional engineers, IPRC reviews, comments on, and ultimately accepts design plans for construction.

Pre-Development Conference (PDC)

Developers and consultants are encouraged to schedule a Pre-Development Conference (PDC) through the City’s Development Services Department. The PDC is a discovery meeting intended to discuss the developer’s general plans, project needs, and development goals.

During the meeting, the developer or consultant meets with representatives from various City departments to discuss potential development issues, review applicable requirements, and ask questions related to the proposed project.

For additional information, visit the Pre-Development Information webpage.

Transportation Development Services (TDS)

The Transportation Development Services (TDS) team reviews traffic impacts for new developments in the city to ensure that the transportation infrastructure system has adequate capacity and is designed in accordance with the following policies and procedures below: 

Traffic Impact Analysis 

The Transportation Development Services team reviews Traffic Impact Analysis for development in the city to assess a projects impact on the transportation system and determine what/if any roughly proportional mitigations are required to serve that development. To begin the TIA process fill out the TIA Worksheet(PDF, 153KB)  and upload it to the Traffic Impact Analysis workflow in Accela Citizens Portal. 

Transportation Exactions (Rough Proportionality)

As a condition of the development approval, a new development may be required to provide the transportation improvements necessary to mitigate impacts to the transportation system. These improvements that meet the nexus requirement, must be "roughly proportionate" to the estimated impact of the proposed development. Per Local Government Code Section 212.904, "if a city requires infrastructure improvements as a condition of approval for a development, through dedications, payment of fees, or construction, the developers portion may not exceed the amount that is roughly proportionate to the proposed development." Through the use of traffic studies and other data, the TDS team determines the roughly proportional improvements required to serve the development. While most exactions are determined at the platting stage it can be made as a condition of building permit approval.

Transportation Exactions vs Impact Fees

Exactions are required improvements of the transportation infrastructure system to provide adequate infrastructure to serve the site. Whereas the transportation impact fees is a cost charged to new development to fund capital improvements attributed to new development. 

For additional questions, please contact the Transportation Development Services team at TDS@FortworthTexas.gov

TDS Related Documents

• Sidewalk Waiver Form(PDF, 156KB)

Stormwater Development Services (SDS)

Stormwater Development Services (SDS) works to safeguard citizens and resources and guide sustainable development while promoting quality growth. SDS serves the City by reviewing Stormwater management plans, floodplain development permits, and storm drain construction plans associated with development projects within the City of Fort Worth and Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

Drainage Study

SDS reviews for conformance to City drainage design and floodplain management criteria, as it relates hydraulics, hydrology, and construction standards.

• Land disturbing activity or platting of 1.0 acre or more or more OR land disturbing activity of less than 1.0 acre where the activity is part of a Common Land Plan Development will require an approved Storm Water Drainage Study.

• When required, a detailed Storm Water Drainage Study (SWDS) must be accepted prior to the SUBMITTAL of a Concept Plan, Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, or the Infrastructure Plans to IPRC. Drainage Studies are submitted electronically through Accela.

• Drainage Study Checklist – You can find the latest version of the checklist at SDS Resource Folder: Click Here – Note: a SW PDC Meeting reference number is required on the checklist. This reference number will be received once a meeting is held.

• The Drainage Study Submittal Guide covers how to submit a drainage study in Accela; the File Naming Convention required; and how to submit Drainage Study Revision submittals. 

• Drainage Study Review Cycle is 10 business days.

Flood Study

The Flood Study is a key component to the City’s review and approval process for any proposed Development project in a FEMA floodplain. This study allows the applicant to clearly document that all proposed floodplain Development activities comply with local, state, and federal (FEMA) floodplain regulations. The Flood Study is a stand-alone document that is different from the Drainage Study report for a proposed project or activity. More specifically, the Flood Study demonstrates compliance with federal requirements, not just municipal requirements. All Flood Study reports must be submitted for review through the SDS electronic submittal process.

A CLOMR, LOMR, or Flood Study shall be required by the City for any of the following activities within an effective FEMA- or other City-regulated floodplain:

• Proposed Development within a designated floodway;
• Proposed Development resulting in any change to the floodplain and/or floodway boundaries or base flood elevation;
• Proposed activities that alter a natural floodplain, stream channel, or natural protective barriers (e.g. riparian zones) or result in a waterway alteration or change of watercourse location;
• FEMA Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) submittals for areas previously studied under detailed and approximate methods, or other unique special hazard projects. Drainage Study Review Cycle is 10 business days. 

• Flood Study Checklist – You can find the latest version of the checklist at SDS Resource Folder: Click Here – Note: a Stormwater PDC Meeting reference number is required on the checklist. This reference number will be received once a meeting is held. 

• The Flood Study Submittal Guide covers how to submit a flood study in Accela; the File Naming Convention required; and how to submit Flood Study Revision submittals.

• Flood Study review cycle is 15 business days.

   

Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement

A Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement (SWFMA) is a required agreement between the City of Fort Worth and the landowner to establish and assign the maintenance of and the responsibilities of a stormwater facility.

• All drainage improvements constructed within a Development and any existing or natural drainage systems to remain in use shall require a maintenance agreement that identifies responsible parties for maintenance. Both private and public maintenance responsibility shall be defined and documented in the agreement. The maintenance agreement shall be written such that it remains in force upon sale or transfer of the property.

• After a detention facility is determined to be required from a drainage study review, a SWFMA must be submitted in Accela prior to a Grading Permit submittal.

• No crossing utilities are allowed within detention pond areas. Retaining walls are not allowed in drainage easements without Development Service’s Storm Water approval.

• Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement Initiation Form – You can find the latest version of the form at SDS Resource Folder: Click Here

• Stormwater Facility Maintenance Agreement Review Cycle is 10 business days.

Grading Permit

Additional information can be found on the Grading Permits Webpage 

Additional Resources

The Public Records Webpage to request existing infrastructure plans from the vault.

The Stormwater Download Viewer, to view & download any nearby studies

The Flood Risk Viewer, to view floodplain or CFRA limits or potential highwater.

The Fort Worth - Open Data Portal for GIS & Topographical Contour Data.

Fees

Information on fees, please see the fee schedule for Stormwater & Floodplain Fees on Pages 40-44: Development Fee Schedule - Page 40-44

Contact

SDS@fortworthtexas.gov

Development Services Water Section (DSWS)

Development Services Water Section (DSWS) is responsible for reviewing all developer-initiated projects related to water and wastewater improvements. To connect to the City’s water, wastewater, or reclaimed water system, the property must be platted, located within City limits, and within the current Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) service area.

IPRC Plan Reviews and Water/Sewer Alignment Walk

As part of the Infrastructure Plan Review Team (PRT), Development Services Water Section (DSWS) helps ensure the long-term reliability and safety of the City’s infrastructure by providing thorough technical oversight of developer-led water and wastewater projects. DSWS reviews all engineering plans for compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations, the City of Fort Worth Water Department Installation Policy and Design Criteria, and other applicable City policies.

By identifying and resolving potential utility conflicts during the design and construction phases, DSWS helps protect public health, reduce costly field issues, and ensure that all new infrastructure integrates seamlessly into the City’s existing water and wastewater systems.

City Cost Participation for Water and Sewer

City participation may apply when public water and/or sewer improvements submitted through the IPRC process exceed the needs of the development, such as oversized mains or replacement of aging infrastructure like cast iron pipe. DSWS ensures the City’s cost-share contribution is calculated in accordance with the applicable unit price ordinance and negotiated term sheet, and that these costs are properly incorporated into the CFA contract.

DSWS also reviews construction progress, final payout requests, and Green Sheet final drafts.

For projects in the study review phase and term sheet negotiations, contact WPD@FortWorthTexas.Gov.

For reimbursement process inquiries, contact DWSW@FortWorthTexas.Gov.

Water/Sewer Line Privatization and Abandonment Agreements

DSWS reviews requests to abandon or privatize water and/or sewer lines. Required submittal documents include:

• Limits of the line requested to be abandoned or privatized
• IPRC and CFA project numbers
• Owner signature block
• Letter from the owner requesting abandonment or privatization

This information is used to prepare the project-specific legal language for the Abandonment/Privatization Agreement. DSWS also conducts research to determine whether the line can be abandoned or privatized by evaluating:

• Whether the line serves additional lots
• Whether the line must be rerouted
• Whether the line has remaining value owed to the City

The agreement is then routed to the appropriate City staff for approval and recorded with the City Secretary’s Office.

Easement and ROW Encroachment Agreement

DSWS reviews Encroachment Agreements submitted through the Contract Management Office. Documents reviewed for compliance with encroachment requirements and applicable design criteria include:

• Approved plat and IPRC plans
• Key map identifying each encroachment area
• Plan and profile exhibits
• Metes and bounds descriptions of the encroachment area within easements or rights-of-way (ROW)

Plat Reviews for Water and Sewer

DSWS reviews plats to determine whether they can be approved or require corrections based on factors such as existing water and sewer infrastructure, easements, encroachments, and other conditions that may impact development.

This review process helps ensure each lot has adequate access to City water and sewer services, identifies potential issues early, and supports successful project planning.

Pre-Development Conference

Pre-development conferences (PDCs) are held weekly to provide applicants with information about a property prior to formal submittal. During these meetings, DSWS reviews existing water and sewer infrastructure, easements, and applicable minimum design criteria.

Potential development constraints, such as required water extensions or site limitations, are also identified to help applicants plan effectively and reduce delays during the formal review process.

For additional information, please email the Development Services Water Section at DSWS@FortWorthTexas.Gov

Parkway Inspection

The parkway inspection team oversees the permits for, and inspection of, public sidewalks, curb ramps, drive approaches, curb and gutter, and alleys in connection with new construction and redevelopment in the City of Fort Worth.

What is a Parkway Permit?

A parkway permit is a permit to perform work on the City of Fort Worth parkway portion of the right-of-way (Shown on photo).

When do I Need a Parkway Permit?

Temporary Parkway or Lane Closures require Street Use Permits. Visit Street Permits for more info.

How do I Apply for a Parkway Permit?

The easiest way to apply for a parkway permit is through Accela Citizens Access portal:

Accela Citizens Portal

Or you may apply for a parkway permit:

1. Over the phone: Please contact 817-392-2222 option number 9 and give them permit number PK##-##### to make payment over the phone.

2. Email: devcustomerservice@fortworthtexas.gov  - please place parkway in subject line of all emails.

3. IN PERSON: City Hall- Downtown-Lower level- Planning and Development Department, 200 Texas St, Fort Worth, TX 76102. 

Do not call, fax, or email the inspector. They don’t issue permits or schedule inspections.