Right-of-Way Alley Abandonment Application

Step 1.Review Requirements

The following is required prior to issuance of an Alley Abandonment Application:

• The application must be signed by the applicant (all property owners must sign the application) and notarized, and should include clearly legible contact information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses are needed to ensure timely processing;   

• A sketch or description of the area sought to be abandoned must be marked “Exhibit A” and attached to the application. This sketch or description must be sufficient enough of a description for a staff review.

• A metes and bounds legal description from a license professional surveyor (RPLS) must be provided, after City staff approval. This description of the proposed abandonment area must be from a licensed professional surveyor, signed and sealed prior to submittal to the City Council. This description will be part of the abandonment Ordinance submitted to the City Council for consideration;

• The applicant is responsible for circulating the application to the utility companies listed on “Exhibit B” and securing the signatures of the authorized representatives prior to submitting the application to the City. Faxed or scanned signatures are acceptable;

• After the abandonment is approved by the City staff, but the before the required public hearing, the property owner will provide a metes and bounds description. Must be signed and sealed by a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS). The cost of the survey will be at the expense of the property owner (applicant).

• The property owner (applicant) is responsible for obtaining the written waiver (in letter form) from any other adjoining property owner eligible for half of the proposed abandoned property;

• Upon receipt of the report of the Assistant Director of Engineering, the city council shall call a public hearing, such hearing to be held not later than thirty (30) days after the receipt of the report of the Assistant Director of Engineering. Written notice of such hearing shall be mailed to all owners of property abutting the property requested to be vacated and abandoned and to all other owners of property within two hundred (200) feet thereof. It shall not be necessary to hold a public hearing if the abandonment or vacation involves an easement that is being abandoned or vacated to the abutting property owner(s) who owns the underlying fee simple.

• A copy of the applicant’s recorded deed to the abutting property is needed to ensure ownership and to verify the correct name or names to be used on the actual abandonment ordinance which is to be approved by the City Council and recorded in the County Official Public Records;

• The applicant should provide a brief description of why the abandonment is needed. What type of right of way is sought to be abandoned, street or alley, and any known current or previous uses of the right of way;

• A copy of the applicant’s or applicants’ RECORDED DEED OR DEEDS to all abutting properties are needed to ensure ownership and to verify the correct name or names to be used on the actual abandonment ordinance which is to be approved by the City Council and recorded in the County Official Public Records

Step 2.Apply Online

You can apply online for a "Right of Way - Abandonment" through the City of Grand Prairie's Customer Self-Service portal . First time users will need a valid email address to set up an account. It takes about 5 minutes to create a new account.

Apply Online

What next?

After the abandonment is approved by the City staff, but the before the required public hearing, the property owner will provide a metes and bounds description. As discussed in Item Number 4 above, this description must be signed and sealed by a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS). The cost of the survey will be at the expense of the property owner (applicant).