Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Duties of the County Engineer?
Who does the County Engineer answer to?
If I have a road complaint who do I contact?
How many miles of roadway is the County Engineer responsible for?
How many Bridges is the County Engineer Responsible for?
Is there a charge for the county maps?
How much do I owe you for the tax maps?
Hours of Operation of County Garage (County Maintenance Facility)?
I was needing an address who do I need to contact?
How do I go about getting a tax map?
Why can't my road be paved if it is a chip and seal road?
Is there a charge for checking a legal description in our office?
Do I need a permit to install a new driveway or work in the right of way?
My driveway and/or mailbox needs fixed, who do I contact?
Do I need a permit to build a house in the county?
Can I build a fence on my property line?
Why can't I get my Private road paved / What do I need to do to get it paved?
Do I Need a permit to replace my drive pipe/build a drive and will the county do it for me?
What is considered a road obstruction?
Can I build my fence next to the road?
Will the county fix my drive and clean the ditch?
Can the engineer design me a bridge to my property?
Can the county clean my creek?
Can you send someone to get this dead animal out of my yard?
Are we required to record surveys in the County Engineer's office?
Can I obtain a survey from your office?
How do I go about finding out the fence laws for my property?
Will the County come and remove a dead animal from the County Road?
Q: What are the Duties of the County Engineer?
A: 1. Responsible for the maintenance, repair, widening, resurfacing and reconstruction of pavements and bridges in the County Highway System.
2. Serves as an engineering advisor to the Township Trustees for the maintenance, widening and repair of their highways.
3. Responsible for the bridges on both County and Township Highway Systems.
4. Performs the annual inspection and evaluation of the condition and load-carrying capacity of each bridge. The statutes regulating this duty require a uniform method of procedure and recordkeeping.
5. Serves as the County Tax Map Draftsman (Funded by County Commissioners)
6. Serves as the Engineer for all County Public Improvements (Not Funded)
Q: Who does the County Engineer answer to?
A: The County Engineer is an Elected Official and answers to the Citizens of the County
Q: If I have a road complaint who do I contact?
A: Contact the County Engineer's office at 740-533-4317 and your information will be entered into our Maintenance Repair Request System in order to be prioritized and addressed.
Q: How many miles of roadway is the County Engineer responsible for?
A: The County Engineer is responsible for approximately 380 Miles of County Roadway
Q: How many Bridges is the County Engineer Responsible for?
A: 327 Bridges that are on Township and County Roadways. By Ohio law the County Engineer is responsible for all bridges over 10-feet in length that are on County and Township Roads.
Q: Is there a charge for the county maps?
A: Individual County Highway Maps are free to the public. Additional maps are $2.00 each. Mailing costs will be added to all maps mailed and msut be pre-paid.
Q: How much do I owe you for the tax maps?
A: Tax Maps are available on our Website at no additional by clicking the following link http://www.lawrencecountyauditor.org/Map.aspx?Todo=Init. Paper copies are:
22x34 - $1.25 per sheet
11x17 - $0.35 per sheet
8 ½ x 14 - $0.30 per sheet
8 ½ x 11 - $0.25 per sheet
Q: Hours of Operation of County Garage (County Maintenance Facility)?
A: The Hours of Operation are:
Summer Construction Season (May through September)
Monday through Thursday - 6:30 am to 5:00 pmWinter Season Business Hours (October through April)
Monday through Friday - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Q: I was needing an address who do I need to contact?
A: County Address is under the authority of the County Board of Commissioners and is operated by the Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-867-4737.
Q: I was needing to get an elevation certification for my property to see of it is in the flood zone for the bank?
A: Elevation Certificates must be completed by a Licensed Professional Surveyor and can be found in the local Yellow Pages or by searching the Ohio Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors at the following link: http://www.peps.ohio.gov/LicenseLookup.aspx . The Lawrence County Engineer or its employees will not recommend or provide a referral for private surveyors.
Q: How do I go about getting a tax map?
A: Tax Maps are available on our Website 24/7 by clicking the following link http://www.lawrencecountyauditor.org/Map.aspx?Todo=Init.
Q: When will my road be paved?
A: The County Engineer makes an assessment of the condition of all County Roads on an annual basis and determines the priority based on pavement condition, traffic volume and several other engineering related factors.
Q: Why can't my road be paved if it is a chip and seal road?
A: It is the County Engineer's long term goal to have all County Roads paved. Typically, Chip Seal County Roads are resurfaced on a 3-year cycle.
Q: Is there a charge for checking a legal description in our office?
A: The Lawrence County Engineer does not charge an additional fee for checking legal descriptions. It is strongly recommended that all legal descriptions be pre-approved prior to being brought to the Courthouse for Transfer by the County Auditor.
Q: Do I need a permit to install a new driveway or work in the right of way?
A: Yes, the Ohio Revised Code requires the County to approve and supervise all work performed within County Right of Way. Please see Forms & Publications for the permit application and instructions to obtain this permit prior to beginning work.
Q: My driveway and/or mailbox needs fixed, who do I contact?
A: Private driveways and mailboxes are the responsibility of the private property owner. Ohio Revised Code 5543.16 and 5571.16 states that the property owner is responsible for the cost and maintenance.
Q: Do I need a permit to build a house in the county?
A: The County Engineer is not responsible under Ohio Law to regulate building in Lawrence County. Contact the Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District regarding building codes and requirements at 740-867-4737.
Q: What are the building codes?
A: The County Engineer is not responsible under Ohio Law to regulate building in Lawrence County. Contact the Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District regarding building codes and requirements at 740-867-4737.
Q: Can I build a fence on my property line?
A: The County Engineer is not responsible under Ohio Law to regulate building in Lawrence County including fences, unless it involves a County Road Right of Way. We recommend that you consult with a private attorney regarding Ohio Laws pertaining to this issue.
Q: Why can't I get my Private road paved / What do I need to do to get it paved?
A: The County Engineer can only expend public funds on public roadways within the County. Please refer to the local Yellow Pages for paving contractors.
Q: Do I Need a permit to replace my drive pipe/build a drive and will the county do it for me?
A: Yes, the Ohio Revised Code requires the County to approve and supervise all work performed within County Right of Way. Please see Forms & Publications for the permit application and instructions to obtain this permit prior to beginning work.
Q: What is considered a road obstruction?
A: Ohio Revised Code 5547.03 and 5547.04 defines an obstruction as any object or structure that interferes with the highway, culvert or bridge this includes all advertising or other signs and posters located on, along, or near a public highway that interfere with the view of drivers at curves and intersections.
Q: Can I build my fence next to the road?
A: The Ohio Revised Code requires the County to approve and supervise all work performed within County Right of Way, including the construction of fences. Please see Forms & Publications for the permit application and instructions to obtain this permit prior to beginning work.
Q: Will the county fix my drive and clean the ditch?
A: Private driveways are the responsibility of the private property owner. Ohio Revised Code 5543.16 and 5571.16 states that the property owner is responsible for the cost and maintenance. Contact the County Engineers Office at 740-533-4317 regarding the request to clean a ditch along a County Road and a staff member will visit the site and prioritize the project with other County Maintenance Operations.
Q: Can the engineer design me a bridge to my property?
A: No, the County Engineer can only expend public funds on public roadways within the County.
Q: Can the county clean my creek?
A: No, the County Engineer can only expend public funds on public roadways within the County. Creeks are private property in the State of Ohio.
Q: Can you send someone to get this dead animal out of my yard?
A: Contact ODNR Division of Wildlife at 740-589-9930
Q: Are we required to record surveys in the County Engineer's office?
A: All new property surveys are required to have a Plat (map or drawing) that meeting Ohio Minimum Survey Standards. The County Engineer's office does keep these in a "Survey Record" for public records. This is not considered "Recorded" as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, that can only be done in the Office of the County Recorder.
Q: Can I obtain a survey from your office?
A: All records available in the County Engineer's office are considered Public Records and are available to the Public in accordance with the Public Records Policy. Your survey record request must be specific in order for us to assist you.
Q: How do I go about finding out the fence laws for my property?
A: The County Engineer is not responsible under Ohio Law to regulate building in Lawrence County including fences, unless it involves a County Road Right of Way. We recommend that you consult with a private attorney regarding Ohio Laws pertaining to this issue.
Q: Will the County come and remove a dead animal from the County Road?
A: If a dead animal is obstructing traffic of a County Roadway, the County Maintenance Staff will come and remove the animal from the roadway.