411-51. Regulations for Residential and Commercial Driveways.
(a) Driveway Location. Location and extent of all driveways shall be subject to the approval of the Director. (Ord. 896, § 340, 12/21/1972)
(b) Driveway Width and Alignment. Driveway width shall be construed as the width of the opening, measured at the full height of the curb, or at the property line if no curbs are installed.
(1) The maximum width of residential driveways shall be twenty-six feet (26') and the minimum width shall be sixteen feet (16').
(2) The maximum width of commercial driveways shall be thirty-five feet (35') and the minimum width shall be eighteen feet (18').
(3) All driveways shall intersect the County road at a ninety degree (90°) angle. Driveway grade shall not exceed two percent (2%) for the first twenty feet (20') commencing from the edge of the traveled way of the County road, shall have a minimum of four inches (4") of aggregate base, and shall be surfaced by means of a seal coat or asphalt concrete surfacing, unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Director of Public Works.
(4) Driveway grading shall conform to the roadway cross-slope within the traveled way and parking lanes of the ultimate section of the roadway. Outside this area, within the right of way, driveway grades shall conform to sidewalk grades provided by the Department of Public Works. (Ord. 896, § 341, 12/21/1972)
(c) Concrete and Surfacing.
(1) Concrete mix for driveways shall be as specified in § 411-41(i) of this chapter.
(2) Residential driveways shall be not less than six inches (6") in thickness.
(3) Commercial driveways shall be not less than eight inches (8") in thickness.
(4) No concrete shall be poured for any driveway, curb or gutter until forms have been inspected and approved in writing by the Department of Public Works. The Department shall be notified in writing forty-eight (48) hours in advance of pouring concrete to permit inspection of subgrade and forms. (Ord. 896, § 342, 12/21/1972)
(d) Driveway Approaches, Curbs or Berms, and Culverts.
(1) Concrete driveway approaches shall extend from curb face to the property side of the sidewalk or, if there is no sidewalk, to within six inches (6") of the property line.
(2) The width and height of concrete curbs shall be as shown on a typical section designated by the Department of Public Works. Temporary asphalt berms may be substituted for concrete curb only with the written approval of the Director.
(3) Where driveways cross existing roadside ditches, a dip section providing an unobstructed waterway equivalent to the full area of the ditch may be permitted if the Director determines that existing grades are feasible. Where dip sections are unfeasible, a culvert pipe as approved by the Director of Public Works shall be installed. (Ord. 1156, § 1, 8/23/1977)
(4) Construction of any head walls, inlet structures, or any other structures shall be in accordance with standard CALTRANS specifications and any adopted County General Plan. (Ord. 896, § 343, 12/21/1972)
(e) Curb Openings.
(1) Curb openings will be permitted only in those locations where complete concrete driveways are to be constructed in conformance with this chapter between the curb and the property line within no more than thirty (30) days after the curb opening.
(2) When an opening for a driveway or any other purpose is to be constructed through an existing concrete curb, the existing curb, or curb and gutter, shall be saw cut at the limits of work or removed to the nearest construction joint and the opening replaced with a concrete driveway and related concrete curbs. (Ord. 896, § 344, 12/21/1972)
(f) Driveway Abandonment. When the driveway through a concrete curb is abandoned, the owner shall remove the existing curb and install full height curb across the abandoned opening and shall fill the depression behind the curb with concrete, if there is an existing sidewalk, or earth if there is no sidewalk. (Ord. 896, § 345, 12/21/1972)
(g) Special Requirements. The Director may require, as a condition for issuing an encroachment permit for a driveway, that the applicant improve the structural section of the shoulder area between the existing pavement and the right of way line. The permittee may also be required to construct a concrete curb and gutter on the curb line and provide a walkway area for the entire length of his/her property abutting the County road. The structural section shall be determined by the Director. (Ord. 896, § 346, 12/21/1972)
(h) Relocation of Existing Encroachments. Arrangements for the necessary removal or relocation of any public utilities, structures, trees, or plantings shall be made by the permittee prior to commencing any work. Such removal or relocation shall be accomplished at no expense to the County. (Ord. 896, § 347, 12/21/1972)