Road Entrance Permit - Driveways and Curb Cuts

The Municipality regulates the construction of driveway entrances onto municipal roads to ensure entrances are installed according to municipal standards and are in an appropriate location to provide for safe and efficient road operation.

You must apply for an entrance permit if you want to cut a curb or install or replace a culvert.

Entrance permit for curb cuts

To apply for an entrance permit, please contact the Public Works Department at 905-263-2291 or AccessPermits@clarington.net. A $75 non-refundable fee is due at the time of application.

Staff will review your application and inspect the location to verify whether the curb cut request complies with our by-laws, municipal policies, and safety standards. If approved, we will notify you of the final cost, which must be paid before we issue a permit. We will notify you if your application is not approved.

Before applying for a curb cut, please ensure you meet the minimum requirements.

Minimum requirements

Before applying for an entrance permit, please verify that your request meets the following minimum requirements (nearest taper used as reference for measurement):

To maintain on-street parking space, the minimum distance between driveways is six to eight metres
Minimum one metre away from the property line and above ground utilities
Minimum 1.5 metres away from tree trunks, and driveway grading must not negatively impact any tree (roots)
Minimum three metres away from a hydrant
Maximum width of the driveway is as follows (from taper to taper):
- Single-detached: 4.5 to six metres, depending on lot size and garage width
- Semi-detached: 4.5 to six metres, depending on lot size and garage width
- Townhome: three to four metres, depending on lot size and garage width
Minimum length of driveway is 5.75 metres from the porch landing to the sidewalk or curb and gutter (if no sidewalk)
Driveways on corner lots (those closest to the curb radius) must follow the requirements and figure shown in Zoning By-Law 84-63, Section 3.28 Visibility Triangles

Additional information

The proposed location of the curb cut must be visibly marked or staked out before inspection.
Entrance permit applications are not available online due to the numbering system and requirement of signature.
Curb cuts are performed by a third-party contractor. Timelines cannot be guaranteed.
Due to snow cover and cold temperatures, curb cuts and culvert installations will not be inspected or completed October 1 to February 28, weather permitting.
Please refer to our Zoning By-Law 84-63 regarding parking area regulations
Any curb cuts completed without a permit are deemed illegal and will be dealt with accordingly by our Municipal Law Enforcement Office. To file a complaint regarding a possible by-law violation, please contact Municipal Law Enforcement Office.

Entrance permit for culverts

To apply for an entrance permit, please contact the Public Works Department at 905-263-2291 or AccessPermits@clarington.net. A $75 non-refundable fee is due at the time of application.

Staff will review your application and inspect the location to verify whether the culvert request complies with our by-laws, municipal policies, and safety standards. If approved, we will notify you of the final cost, which must be paid before we issue a permit. We will notify you if your application is not approved.

When do I need an entrance permit for a culvert?

The use of the entrance changes from temporary to permanent.
Entrance culverts that need to be lengthened or modified in any way.
A new building is to be constructed on vacant land.
An entrance is desired to a vacant property where no entrance exists.
An existing land use changes to another land use.
A site alteration permit has been issued by the Municipality, or a permit under Ont. Reg. 168/06 has been issued by the Conservation Authority.
Temporary access is required.

Entrance culverts will not be installed during the winter months due to ground frost. Entrance culvert installation operations will resume following weight restriction season in the spring. For more information, please refer to By-law 2015-040.

Property owners requesting a road entrance off a Regional road must apply to the Region of Durham.

Questions?

For questions or concerns regarding curb cuts or culverts, please contact the Public Works Department at 905-263-2291 or AccessPermits@clarington.net.