(A) All plans and specifications must conform to the following minimum requirements before permit for construction or reconstruction shall be permitted.
(1) Driveways for other than residential or dwelling house use shall be constructed of Portland cement concrete at least six inches in thickness. Concrete shall be as specified by ordinance for sidewalks and in accordance with sketches on file in the office of the Superintendent of Streets at all times.
(2) Driveways for residential or dwelling house use shall be constructed of gravel, concrete or macadam, or in a manner and of a material equal at least to that existing for the paving in the public street adjacent thereto, except that where concrete pavement exists in the public street and bituminous concrete surface is desired for the driveway, such surface shall be permitted provided it shall have a minimum thickness of two inches placed upon a compacted stone base at least six inches thick..
(3) Where a driveway of any kind of material is constructed across the sidewalk space, it shall conform to the sidewalk grade as established by the City Engineer.
(4) Where a driveway of any kind of material is constructed across an existing sidewalk, the sidewalk shall be removed and replaced with Portland cement concrete for the full width of the driveway and for a distance of at least 12 inches on both sides of the driveway. This portion shall be not less than six inches in thickness and constructed in accordance with sketches on file in the office of the Superintendent of Streets.
(5) Macadam, gravel, and other types of driveways where permitted herein shall be not less than six inches compacted thickness including the base. A base of at least four inches of CA 5 two inch stone shall be installed. If the driveway is to be constructed of gravel, then, in that event, two inches of CA 10 road pack stone shall be installed over the base.
(6) Where paving in the public street is of concrete and a concrete driveway is constructed, a one-inch bituminous premolded expansion joint with a load transmission unit shall be placed approximately three feet from the edge of the concrete paving and normal to the center line of the driveway, in accordance with sketches illustrating such construction on file with the Superintendent of Streets.
(7) The width of the driveways for other than residential or dwelling house use shall not exceed 30 feet at the outer or street edge of the sidewalk. Where two driveways are provided for the same or adjoining property, a safety island of not less than 10 feet at the outer or street side of the sidewalk shall be provided. Not more than two such driveways shall be allowed to any one owner for any one piece of property on any one street for each 100 feet of continuous frontage thereof.
(8) The width of the driveways for residential or dwelling house use shall be not less than 9 feet or more than 14 feet at the outer or street edge of the sidewalk.
(9) The width of the driveway opening at the curb line shall not exceed the width of the driveway at the inner or property edge plus 20 feet, nor be less than the width of the driveway at the inner or property edge of the sidewalk plus 10 feet. In no instance should the radius be less than 3 feet at curb corners, and this only when the driveway is flared or more than 10 feet when the driveway is at right angles to the street line. The center line of all driveways must be approximately at right angles to the curb line of the pavement in the public street for a distance of at least 10 feet from said curb line.
(10) All driveways shall be so graded between the gutter and the sidewalk that it will not be necessary to change the established grade of either and will not elevate or depress any portion of either. No part of the driveway shall extend beyond the curb line in such a manner as to change the grade of the gutter or obstruct the free flow of water in the gutter. Where elevations or depressions are necessary in the parkway strip between the curb and walk, the parkway shall be graded on both sides of the driveway to a distance sufficient to create a gradual ascent or descent. At no time shall the gradient exceed one foot vertical to ten feet horizontal.
(11) Combined curb and gutter and separate curbing shall be entirely removed for the full width of the driveway opening at the curb line. If an existing joint in said curb is within five feet of the end of the driveway opening, remove the existing curbing and the like to the joint, otherwise cut the combined curb and gutter or separate curbing, making a neat edge truly at right angles to the edge of the pavement and truly vertical. Integral curbing, which is that type placed with the pavement and molded as an integral part of it, must be removed for the full depth from the top of curb to the bottom of the pavement. The edge must be cut as above described. No combined curb and gutter, straight curb or integral curb shall be removed within five feet of a public crosswalk.
(12) The curb cut shall be made only by city employees or a contractor approved by the Superintendent of Streets.
(13) At the request of the homeowner, the city will excavate the area to be used as a residential driveway that lies within the street right of way. All dirt excavated by the city shall be the property of the city and shall be removed by the city at no charge to the homeowner.
(14) In the event at a homeowner desires to construct a residential driveway of gravel and purchases all materials for the construction of the driveway, then at the request of the homeowner, the city will provide the labor necessary to construct that part of the driveway that lies within the street right of way.
(B) Where driveways cross open ditches in the parkways, culverts shall be installed. The culverts shall be of such length and shall be constructed of such diameter and shall be constructed of such material as determined by the Department of Public Works, depending on the conditions existing. In no instance shall the size of opening be less than that obtained by a 12-inch diameter pipe. The length of culvert shall be determined by the following method; for ditch depth of 2 feet or less the culvert shall extend not less than 5 feet beyond both edges of the driveway where it crosses the ditch. For each additional foot depth of ditch add 2 feet to the above figure, except that no culvert shall be less than 20 feet long and except that where headwalls are constructed at the ends of the culvert the length shall be as determined by the Department of Public Works.
(C) Where existing meter pits are in the area of a proposed driveway, the existing cast iron top shall be removed and turned in to the Water Department. A heavier cover shall be furnished and set by the Water Department, and the additional cost thereof shall be paid by the property owner.
(D) All driveways constructed or reconstructed over, across or upon any public street or public parkway in the city shall be kept and maintained at all times in accordance with the provisions hereof by the persons so constructing, reconstructing or using the same as an adjunct or appurtenance to lands or properties immediately adjacent thereto.
(Ord. 78-38, passed 9-11-78; Am. Ord. 03-02, passed 1-13-03; Am. Ord. 03-19, passed 4-28-03)