Driveways and culverts on county right-of-way need review

That gravel driveway off the county road isn't always a do-it-yourself job in unincorporated Fort Bend County. Where a new drive crosses the county right-of-way, and especially where it crosses a roadside drainage ditch, County Engineering requires a right-of-way or driveway permit. The county even has a specific rule for constructing driveways and culverts on county easements and rights-of-way.

The reason is that ditch. The culvert under your driveway has to be the right size and set at the right grade, or it dams up the roadside flow and backs water onto your road and your neighbors. A pipe that looks like a minor detail can quietly change how a whole stretch of road drains.

Before you cut in a new driveway, replace an old culvert, or promise a buyer that access is no problem, check Engineering's current permit page. Getting the culvert sized and permitted right beats a failed inspection or tearing it out and rebuilding.