All plans and specifications must conform to the following minimum requirements before permit for construction or reconstruction shall be permitted:
(A) 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 the Director of Public Services.
(B) Driveways for residential or dwelling house use shall be constructed in a manner and of a material equal at least to that existing for the paving in the public street adjacent thereto. Where concrete pavement exists in the public street and bituminous surface is desired for the driveway, such surface shall be permitted, provided it shall have a minimum depth of two inches without any loose material on top and has a base of water-bound macadam at least six inches thick and provided that a portland cement concrete apron not less than three feet in width be constructed between the existing concrete pavement and the proposed bituminous driveway surface.
(C) Where a driveway of any kind of material is constructed across a sidewalk space, it shall conform to the sidewalk grade as established by the Director of Public Services.
(D) Where a driveway of any kind of material is constructed across an existing sidewalk, said 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 said walk. This portion shall be not less than six inches in thickness and constructed in accordance with specifications on file in the office of the Director of Public Services.
(E) Macadam, gravel, cinder, and other types of driveways, where permitted herein, shall be not less than six inches thick, compacted depth.
(F) Where paving in the public street is of concrete, and a concrete driveway is constructed, a one-inch bituminous pre-moulded expansion joint with load transmission unit shall be placed approximately three feet from the edge of the concrete paving and normal to the centerline of the driveway, in accordance with sketches illustrating such construction on file with the Director of Public Services.
(G) 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 or more adjoining driveways are provided for the same property, a safety island of not less than ten 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.
(H) The width of the driveways for residential or dwelling house use shall be 12 feet per bay or car space at the outer or street edge of the sidewalk.
(I) 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 ten feet. In no instance should the radius be less than three feet at curb corners, and this only when the driveway is flared; nor more than ten feet when the driveway is at right angles to the street line. The centerline 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 ten feet from said curb line.
(J) 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.
(K) Combined curb and gutter and separate curbing shall be entirely removed for the full width of the driveway open at the curb line. If an existing joint in the curb is within five feet of the end of the driveway opening, the existing curbing shall be removed to said joint, otherwise the combined curb and gutter shall be cut or curbing shall be separated, 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 the curb to the bottom of the pavement. No combined curb and gutter, straight curb, or integral curb shall be removed within five feet of a public crosswalk.
(L) Where driveways cross open ditches in the parkways, culverts shall be installed. Said culverts shall be of such size and shall be constructed of such material as determined by the Director of Public Services, 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 depths of two feet or less, the culvert shall extend not less than five feet beyond both edges of the driveway where it crosses the ditch. For each additional foot depth of ditch, add two 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 Director of Public Services.
(M) 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 contractor.
(N) Where an existing catch basin is in the area of the proposed driveway, the tops shall be removed and replaced with a manhole top with perforated lid. Said top shall be set by the Street Department and the additional cost thereof shall be paid by the contractor.
(O) 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.
(Prior Code, § 96.49) (Ord. 60-1, passed 12-19-1960; Ord. 00-22, passed 11-6-2000)