Frequently Asked Questions

A ”Street Line Survey” is the physical staking/marking/survey layout of the street property line along your property’s frontage along the street. This is the “common line” that defines the extent of Private Ownership, (what the Property/Parcel owner’s deed describes), and the extent of City of Fitchburg Ownership, (what the City refers to as “Street Layout”). DPW Engineering does not stake out your private property corners.

A “Tree Location” is used for the determination of the ownership of a tree that is in question along the frontage of a property along a public street (not all streets are owned by the City of Fitchburg) or abutting a City owned parcel. A tree is determined to be owned by the City if the majority of the tree’s base is located within the “Street Layout” or on City Property.

A “Dig Safe Mark Out” is the physical painting/marking/staking/survey layout of any sewer and or drain pipes that the Department of Public Works Engineering Division has record of on file in the office. A sketch or plan of proposed excavation is required to assist with determining the “limits” of the necessary delineation of utilities in the field. In accordance with Dig Safe’s color coding system all marking of sewer and drain shall be done in the color green unless otherwise specified. In the rare occurrence where no record information is on file, the dig safe mark out shall read “Location Unknown”. Please note that the City of Fitchburg is not a part of Dig Safe System, Inc. and should be notified separately. Water lines are marked out by the City of Fitchburg’s Water Division’s Engineers and they can be reached by phone at 978-345-9616. Contact Dig Safe before you dig, it’s the law.

“Mapping Services” is typically the reproduction of existing plans on file in this office or brought into this office. Creation of maps and plans is also done by this Division but complexity of creation greatly determines time frame for completion due to limited personnel.