This section is responsible for the preparation of construction plans ranging from simple drainage plans to an all-inclusive set of road plans that include paving, drainage, environmental permitting, utility relocation, signage and striping layout. This department also contributes to calculations and drawings for reef placement along our shores. Coverage and images from the Geographical Information System are an integral part of the plans prepared using AutoCAD and various types of engineering software.

Close cooperation with other divisions has become the key to this department’s operations. A project manager assists with the communication between contractors, engineers, and other county departments. This cooperative effort helps to maintain timelines and costs on all projects whether done by our own staff or contractors.

Information received from our own survey crews is the basis for all plans generated in this department. The crews are equipped with electronic data collection, robotic survey instruments, and Geographical Positioning System (GPS) equipment. Each means of data collection provides highly accurate information for all projects done by County crews.

The main function of this section is the acquisition of all real property that is necessary to construct any capital improvement project or to improve existing facilities (roads, bridges, drainage easements, etc.). Legal descriptions are prepared with the assistance of the survey section.

Title searches are another function of this section. All contacts with property owners dealing with r/o/w is conducted by the right-of-way agents.

Assistance is also provided to the Road Department in securing hold-harmless agreements or any other document that is necessary to allow the road department to complete a job.

 Another function of this section is to investigate the numerous right-of-way vacation requests that the Board of Commissioners receives and coordinate the request with the affected utility companies.

The Right-of-Way section of Public Works is also responsible for issuing driveway permits and right-of-way permits. Requests for driveway connections to a single-family residence on any county-maintained road can be made by filling out the required Driveway Permit. If the proposed connection is for a commercial, retail or multi-family location, please contact the Public Works Engineering section at (850) 689-5772 to determine whether a driveway permit or development review is required. Requests to do any work within the right-of-way can be made by filling out the required Right-of-Way Permit.

If your proposed residence will have a finished floor elevation of less than 12 inches above the crown of the roadway adjacent to the residence, you will be required to get a below-the-crown permit.

To learn about the Leasehold Conversion Application Process view the Resolution or download the Application. For questions related to the application process contact Zan at 850-423-4897 or Right-of-Way Agent Jeff Henderson at 850-423-4837.

This section reviews all the commercial and subdivision plans to ensure compliance with the Land Development Code. Inspectors monitor all infrastructure improvements that are constructed by developers during the temporary maintenance period to guarantee that the improvements are up to standard and acceptable to enter into the county maintenance system. All permits are processed through this section.

Environmental issues and concerns are investigated and permitted through this section. All drainage complaints that can't be handled by the Road Department maintenance section are funneled through this section for investigation and recommendations.

The Okaloosa County road paving program is closely monitored by inspectors who perform periodic inspections, gather material samples for tests, perform density checks, and asphalt thickness checks, and generally oversee the county asphalt program.

The bridge inspection program is also administered by this section, also.

Many of the requests for information that come to this department concern street lighting, sidewalks and bike paths. Questions frequently posed are:

"How do I go about getting a sidewalk constructed in my neighborhood"?

"How do I get street lights for my neighborhood"?

"How do I get bike paths for my area"?

Sidewalks and Street Lighting

Okaloosa County doesn't budget money for sidewalks or street lighting, however, there are avenues that citizens can pursue to have these improvements constructed in their neighborhoods. One of the most popular methods utilizes grants through the various state and federal agencies. There is funding through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (federal) for sidewalks and bike paths, and the Community Safety Team (state) for mitigation of safety hazards.

Street lighting can be provided through a Multiple Services Benefit Unit (M.S.B.U.). This provides a means to pay for installation, maintenance and monthly electricity usage. Okaloosa County will not participate in the costs to install street lighting in subdivisions. The neighborhood that wants the street lights installed pays for the service through their monthly county water and sewer bill.

All construction projects require cooperation from the contractor, utility companies, the owner and especially the users ( the taxpayers that are paying for the improvement). In order for you to get your moneys' worth, it is important that the county do the work in the safest and most efficient manner. The following is a list of things that you can do to help produce the most cost effective product with a minimal amount of disruption to your daily schedule.

Please keep the right-of-way clear of all obstructions such as parked vehicles, flower beds, brick mailboxes, shrubbery and trees. Sprinkler systems are always a problem. Please move your sprinkler system prior to the beginning of construction.

When construction commences, please obey all warning signs. Your safety as well as the safety of the roadway workers is the countys' major concern. Many workers are killed and maimed each year across our nation by drivers who disregard the warning signs.

If you own pets that may pose a threat to workers, please take the necessary steps to control them before an accident occurs.

If you have a problem or a question, please ask for the construction supervisor or call the Okaloosa County Engineering Department at 850-689-5772.

Above all, please be patient.  Construction projects become unsightly due to stockpiling of materials or the clearing that is required to complete the job. New construction projects are especially susceptible to weather conditions. Rain damages the road bases and we must wait until the material dries before work can continue.  Utility interruptions are inevitable during construction and every effort will be made to make all inconveniences as short as possible.Usually, if the county isn't working that particular day, it's because of the weather or conditions that were created as a result of inclement weather.