Driveways providing access to a property from an alley, private drive, right-of-way, or other vehicular access shall adhere to the following.
1. Location. Driveways are permitted to encroach into the required front yard, corner side yard, interior side yard and/or rear yard, and shall be at least one foot from the interior side lot line, except when the driveway provides shared access for two adjacent properties. Driveways are allowed in easements, unless otherwise restricted.
2. Quantity. One driveway per street frontage is allowed, provided that the minimum frontage requirements established in Section 156.06 (Zoning District Regulations) are met. Driveways shall be located at least 60 feet from a signalized intersection, and 30 feet from all other intersections. Lots with a street frontage of at least 100 linear feet of frontage may incorporate one additional driveway along that frontage. On properties for which more than one driveway is permitted, the distance between the driveways shall be a minimum of 50 feet.
3. Driveway Width. Driveways shall be constructed in compliance with Table 156.08.J-A. Maximum Driveway Width. Driveway width shall be measured at the lot line.
Uses | One-Way Driveway | Two-Way Driveway |
Single-Unit and Two-Unit Dwellings | n/a | 28 ft |
Townhouse Dwelling Units | n/a | 28 ft |
Multi-Unit Dwellings | 12 ft | 28 ft |
Commercial, Civic, and Institutional | 12 ft | 34 ft |
Industrial | 15 ft | 34 ft |
4. Visibility. No building, structure, sign, or landscape element shall obstruct the area between three feet and seven feet in height within the sight triangle area on each side of any driveway. Beginning at the intersection of the driveway with the lot line, the sight triangle shall be formed by measuring ten feet along the lot line in the opposite direction of the driveway and ten feet along the driveway in the opposite direction of the lot line, then connecting the endpoints of the lines across the subject property (refer to Figure 156.08.J-A. Visibility at Driveways).
5. Intersection of Sidewalk or Sidepath and Driveway.
a. Sidewalk. In locations where a sidewalk is crossed by a driveway, the sidewalk shall be constructed of a permanent, concrete surface with a minimum width of five feet.
b. Sidepath. In locations where a sidepath is crossed by a driveway, the sidepath may be constructed of a material other than concrete that is a continuation of the adjacent sidepath material.
c. Driveway Aprons. Driveway aprons installed within the right-of-way shall be constructed of concrete material and in compliance with the South Elgin Engineering Inspection & Design Policy Manual.
d. Slope. A sidewalk or sidepath shall remain level across the driveway with a running slope not to exceed the grade of the adjacent roadway, and a cross slope not to exceed 2%. Refer to Figure 156.08.J-B. Sidewalk and Driveway Intersection Designs.
6. Residential Driveways. A driveway apron the width of the garage, carport, or parking pad served by the driveway is permitted to extend up to 20 feet in depth from the garage doors or rear edge of the carport or parking pad before tapering back to the required driveway width, see Figure 156.08.J-C. Garage Apron Width.
7. Driveway Parking. Parked vehicles for single-unit, two-unit, and townhouse dwellings are permitted to park on private driveways provided that the parked vehicles do not encroach into the right-of-way.
8. Shared Driveways. Single-unit, two-unit, and townhouse dwellings that share a common driveway are permitted a maximum driveway width of 26 feet.