Requirements around driveway access are the responsibility of the Public Works Department. These requirements are spelled out in our Municipal Services Policy. Every property owner is required to obtain a Municipal Services Permit from the Town before constructing or altering driveway access.

General Requirements

Every driveway within a street shall be constructed and maintained at the expense of the property owner of the lot served and in conformance with the specifications as determined by the Director of Public Works in accordance with good engineering practices.

All costs associated with the widening of the driveway including removal of existing materials, the installation of a concrete curb and/or sidewalk and approach apron, backfill, topsoil and sodding will be at the expense of the property owner.

No driveway shall be located:

• within 20 feet of a street intersection controlled by traffic signals;
• within 20 feet of a crosswalk or near side of an intersection;
• within 5 feet from a hydrant, utility pole or street traffic signage or property lot line measured from the nearest street line of the intersecting street or property line where no street line exists.

Additionally:

• no driveway opening shall exceed 24 feet in width;
• driveway depth shall be sufficient so that any parked vehicle is clear of the apron approach and/or sidewalk;
• driveway installation shall not interfere with Town snow removal operations;
• cumulative driveway openings shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the property’s frontage;
• no driveway shall adversely affect other lot services such as water, storm or sanitary sewer laterals;
• no driveway shall be located on any street where the property to be served abuts and has reasonable access to another street that carries a lesser amount of daily traffic.

Town may approve a driveway where there is no other means of access to the lot, and in such cases, the Town may impose any conditions which, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, will minimize the impact to traffic.

Sighting Distances

All driveways shall meet minimum stopping sight distances requirements in conformance with the specifications as determined by the Director of Public Works in accordance with good engineering practices.
the Director of Public Works may approve a driveway where there is no other means of access to the lot, and in such cases, the Director of Public Works may issue the permit subject to special conditions.

Driveway Culverts

Where a driveway crosses an existing ditch, the property owner shall install a culvert at the owner’s expense and in conformance with the specifications as determined by the Director of Public Works in accordance with good engineering practices.

Driveway Drainage

Driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to prevent surface drainage, dirt or dust from private property such as to constitute a nuisance or hazard or in such amount as will enter the public sewer system, from being carried onto the street or sidewalk by means of the surface of a driveway.

More Information

For more information, please contact our Department of Public Works.