Road Entrance Permit - Driveways and Curb Cuts

Before you apply for an entrance permit, 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

• The proposed location of the curb cut must be visibly marked or staked out before inspection.
• Curb cuts are performed by a third-party contractor. Timelines cannot be guaranteed.
• Due to snow cover and cold temperatures, curb cuts may not be inspected or completed from October 1 to March 31, 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.

• The use of the entrance changes from temporary to permanent.
• Entrances that need to be widened 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.

• Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Entrance culverts may not be available for installation from October 1 to April 30 due to ground frost, snow cover and spring weight restriction season. Requests not completed before winter conditions begin will be rescheduled after spring weight restrictions end. 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.