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Driveway Cuts


Process Description:
This process is for obtaining a right-of-way permit(s) for a driveway cut(s) to existing residential parcels that contain a dwelling(s) or propose a dwelling(s).

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.


Are there any prerequisites/requirements for this process?
A copy of the approved plan and right of way permit must be on site prior to the Inspection.

 

How do I start the process?

Submit a plan to the City of Raleigh at either the Litchford Satellite office or the Inspections Department located at the One Exchange Plaza. See plan requirements below.

 

What do I need to submit to the City?

Standard Submittal Package
  1. City of Raleigh Permit application must be completed and submitted to the Inspections Department at One Exchange Plaza or Litchford Satellite Office; Must be an original, two sided copy document
  2. A plan of the project property must be provided.  A GIS plat/aerial will be acceptable
  3. Label scale of plan, or NTS, if not to scale

 

Where can I find detailed information regarding submittals?

The Plan must show:

  • Property lines and dimension of the subjects lot, if not to scale
  • Show location of residential structure
  • Locate and dimension all existing and proposed driveways, and their radii.  Residential driveways are required to be between 10 feet and 24 feet wide and perpendicular to the street within the right-of-way
  • The driveway must be a minimum 18 feet in length as measured from the right-of-way line to the face of the garage or structure
  • Label street name and dimension street of right-of-way(s)
  • For corner parcels, a minimum of 20 feet is required for the minimum corner clearance from the point of tangency from intersection radius to the driveway edge of pavement
  • Driveway must be set back a minimum of 3 ½ feet from adjacent property line within the right-of-way
  • For more than one driveway on a single lot, a spacing of at least 20 feet is required from any other driveway on the same lot
  • If more than two (2) points of access (existing and/or proposed) are requested on a lot, a variance will be required from the Public Works Department (Variance Application Form)
  • Show and dimension any existing curb and gutter, and existing sidewalk
  • Plans shall bear the Note: “ALL CONSTRUCTION SHALL BE PER CITY OF RALEIGH AND/OR NCDOT STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS.”
  • Show recorded sight distance triangles or sight easements across the property frontage

 

A variance may be requested for the following items: (Variance Application Form )

  • More than two driveway access points on a single lot
  • Not meeting the 20-foot minimum corner clearance requirements
  • Not meeting the 3.5-foot setback to adjacent property lines

 

If a variance is required, it must be submitted to the Inspections Department located on the 4th floor of One Exchange Plaza.  The request will be reviewed and the client will be informed of the decision within five (5) business days.  Upon approval, the plan must be submitted to the Inspections Department prior to  permit issuance.  


What additional documents may be helpful?

 

Where do I submit my application?
Office:               City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Permits
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:     219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:          (919) 516-2571, (919) 516-2565 or main line (919) 516-2850
Fax:                   (919) 516-2688
Hours:              8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

-OR-

Office:               City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Permits
Address:          8320-130 Litchford Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 
Phone #:          (919) 713-4200
Hours:              8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

 

What are the keys to success?

  • The Contractor must be bonded and insured
  • Contractor information (contractor license, contact information, business license, workers compensation, liability insurance, etc.) must be complete, current and valid in the City of Raleigh Contractor file
  • Contractor must have a City of Raleigh Business License, if work is being done within the City Limits of Raleigh
  • Contractors performing work in the right-of-way must have workers compensation, general liability insurance and a $5,000 bond to work in the right-of-way
  • You must show a plan with the existing and proposed work or driveway cuts to be done

 

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

  • See Fee Schedule  for permit fees
  • Permit fees are due when the permits are ready for pickup
  • Payment types accepted are cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh
  • All permit fees are processed by the Inspections Department cashiers located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404


*A Fee-in-Lieu for ½ of a five foot sidewalk and/or road improvements may be charged, if the plan meets the following: (Note: These conditions are not applicable for an existing house.)

  1. The dwelling is a new home on a vacant lot and there is no sidewalk on either side along the frontage of the lot
  2. The dwelling is a “tear-down and re-build” on an existing lot that contained a dwelling previously and there is no sidewalk on either side along the frontage of the lot
  3. The public street adjacent to the property is unimproved. (i.e. dirt, gravel)
  4. The public street adjacent to the property has no curb and gutter

 

How long will this process take?

  • Approximately eight (8) business days for the standard residential review process
  • One (1) to seven (7) business days for driveway review process

 

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For More Information Contact:
Rene Haagen
Civil Engineer I
Public Works Department
One Exchange Plaza Suite 404
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2173