Private Development

• What is the proper way to discharge my sump pump and/or other private drains?

  According to City Code, Sump Pumps and other private drains may be connected to the City’s Storm Sewer system provided the connection is made by a bonded contractor, and at a structure such as an inlet or beehive, etc.
  The City requires the property owner to submit a plan to the Engineering Department for review prior to making the connection, and one of our inspectors must be present at the time the connection is made.
  The City does not make recommendations regarding contractors.

• My basement flooded. Is the City responsible?

  When basements flood, it is usually from ground water.
  Most of the soils in our area are very poorly draining soils with seasonal high water table levels.
  Due to these issues, it is common for basements in our area to flood when the soil becomes saturated during periods of high rain.

  In rare occurrences, a flooded basement may be the result of surface flooding. All of the storm sewer systems throughout the city are designed to carry the 10 year storm event. Detention ponds are designed and constructed to detain overflows above the 10-year storm, up to the 100 year flood level. However, these ponds become overwhelmed when (a) we have beyond the 100 year storm; and (b) circumstances occur such as back-to-back storm events, higher intensity storms than the 100 year event (this is a “flash flood” type of occurrence), or blockages of any storm sewer pipes, inlets, and/or pond outlets.
  Generally, in addition to requiring engineers to design for the 10 year storm and requiring all home pads be constructed high enough to be protected from the 100 year flood event, we require engineers show us what happens during the 100 year storm event. We expect much of the water to run over the streets, etc. in order to get to the detention ponds. Ditches will run over into yards, but surface water should not be getting into homes – that is, unless they have built walk-out basement levels or windows exposing themselves to these lower elevations. When basements flood, it is usually from groundwater, and that is something we just can’t help.

• Does the City maintain detention/ retention ponds within subdivisions?

  No;
  maintenance of detention/ retention ponds is the responsibility of the Homeowners’ Association.

• Will the City remove debris from the creek?

  Debris removal is the responsibility of the individual property owner.
  Please refer to the these guidelines for removal of debris from streams or ditches within the City of Carmel.

  More information about debris removal and logjams.

• I have a drainage problem on my property. Will the City fix this?

  It is the property owners’ responsibility to maintain the drainage easements that exist on their property; however our inspectors will make a site visit to your property to try to help determine the nature of the drainage issue.
  The Engineering Department can also assist by sending letters to adjacent property owners to relocate private drains or remove objects out of the drainage easements, for example, if these are contributing to drainage issues.
  If it is determined that the drainage issue is being caused by a City storm or sanitary sewer failure, or water line (with the exception of the laterals servicing your property), the City will make necessary repairs.

• I want to make improvements to my driveway. What are the City’s standards, and does this require City approval?

  The City of Carmel’s standard residential driveway width is a minimum of 12 ft. and a maximum of 20 ft. at the limit of the right-of-way (at the street).
  The Engineering Department will not support driveway configurations that do not conform to these standards.
  Each property is provided one access point (curb cut) to City streets.
  The City reserves the right to establish the type of access provided (full access, right-in/ right-out) that is in the best interest of public safety.
  Additional curb cut requests require Board of Public Works and Safety approval.

  The approval process is as follows:

  • A plot plan indicating any existing or proposed easements and right-of-way, as well as the proposed location and configuration (dimensions, widths, radii) of the driveway improvements must be submitted to the Engineering Department for review.
    A letter outlining the proposed planned improvements and addressed to the Board of Public Works and Safety, c/o the Engineering Department requesting approval must also be submitted, along with a letter from the Homeowners’ Association stating that the proposed improvements are not in violation of any neighborhood covenants.

  • The Board of Public Works and Safety meetings and submission deadlines are available from the City’s website or by contacting the Clerk of the City’s office at 317-571-2414.

  A right-of-way permit must be obtained prior to performing any work within the City’s right-of-way.
  The contact is the Engineering Department, 317-571-2441.

  If any portion of the proposed driveway will be located within a platted or dedicated easement, a Consent to Encroach Agreement must be executed, the agreement is reviewed by the City Engineer and the City Attorney and ultimately executed by the Board of Public Works and Safety.

  Board of Public Works and Safety approval is not required for driveway improvements outside of any easements or right-of-way.

• What is a Consent to Encroach Agreement, and when do I need one?

  The Consent to Encroach Agreement must be obtained prior to placing any improvements (fence, landscaping, private drain, signs, retaining walls, etc.) within an easement or City right-of-way.

  A Consent to Encroach Agreement acknowledges the placement of a private improvement within a public easement, or within City right-of-way.
  The agreement gets recorded with the property.
  The Engineering Department will review the Consent to Encroach Application, and the Agreement will first be reviewed by the Law Department.
  Then the Agreement is signed by the property owner(s) and notarized, and then the final approval is by the Board of Public Works and Safety.

• What is an easement?

  An easement is a part of your property; however, other parties also have rights to use them.

  Typical easements include Drainage, Utility, Sewer, Landscape, and Tree Preservation, or a combination of these.
  The easement may already include power lines, cable, phone, etc., or structures (storm sewer or sanitary sewer pipe), or it may simply be designated for overland storm water drainage and conveyance purposes.
  Easements are initially established while the land is developed and platted.
  The City requires a Consent to Encroach Agreement prior to placing any private improvements within a public easement.

• The sidewalk in front of my home is cracked/ crumbling/ uneven, who is responsible for repairing this?

  Sidewalk maintenance is the property owner’s responsibility.
  The City (Street Department) maintains perimeter sidewalks surrounding subdivisions and sidewalks along City streets.

  If you need to make repairs to your sidewalk, the City requires that you replace full panels of sidewalk, and as with any work in the City’s right-of-way, you (or the contractor performing the work) need to first obtain a Right-of-Way permit from our office.
  The only exceptions to this would be if your subdivision is newly developed and the sidewalks are still covered under the performance bond, or if the damage to the sidewalk is being caused by a faulty City storm sewer pipe or sanitary sewer pipe (the laterals that serve your property are excluded).