
Generally speaking, driveways are short private roads that lead to a house or garage which is maintained by an individual or group. On large estates, a driveway may be the road that leads to the house from the public road, possibly with a gate in between. Some driveways are shared by different homeowners.
What is the legal definition of a driveway?
It is a short segmented road that leads to a house or property from a public way, which is maintained by an individual or group of people. To some, a driveway isn’t needed, but a few who own it declare it to be an added value to a property. It means owning a driveway increase the value (Price) of your property.
What are the steps to repaving a driveway?
- The best kind asphalt to use for a residential driveway is HL3.
- Order enough asphalt for 2.5 inches of thickness. ...
- Ensure you hire an experienced paver to apply the asphalt for this part (the asphalt must be applied when hot, you must pave it quickly!). ...
- Apply the asphalt in vertical paths, from the top-down.
What are different types of driveways?
Types
- Concrete Driveway. Concrete driveways are certainly one of the most popular driveway styles. ...
- Asphalt Driveway. Asphalt is another really common substance that you will see people using for their driveways. ...
- Brick Driveway. ...
- Gravel Driveway. ...
- Dirt Driveway. ...
- Crushed Stone Driveway. ...
- Cobblestone Driveway. ...
- Crushed Basalt Driveway. ...
- Recycled Glass Driveway. ...
What is the approach of a driveway?
What is the approach of a driveway? (b) “Driveway approach” means an area, construction or improvement between the roadway of a public street to a definite area of the private property, such as a parking area, a driveway or a door at least seven feet wide, intended and used for the ingress and egress of vehicles.

What does driveway mean?
drive·way ˈdrīv-ˌwā : a private road giving access from a public way to a building on abutting grounds.
What is a legal driveway in NYC?
Driveways serving passenger vehicles shall be a minimum of 8 feet (2438 mm) in width and shall not exceed the length of the curb cut, not including the lengths of the splays. For all other motor vehicles, the minimum width of driveways shall be 10 feet (3048 mm).
What's the difference between driveway and road?
Despite what some drivers tend to think, drives and driveways are not the same. While a drive refers to a winding roadway that is often very long, a driveway is something that is much shorter and leads only to a private building.
What counts as a driveway UK?
A driveway (also called drive in UK English) is a type of private road for local access to one or a small group of structures, and is owned and maintained by an individual or group.
What is considered blocking a driveway NY?
One thing all New York City drivers should know is that it is completely illegal to block or park in front of a driveway. The city defines it plainly and simply in the NYC Department of Transportation Traffic rules and regulations: (f) General no standing zones (standing and parking prohibited in specified places).
Can I park in front of my own driveway NYC?
In New York, it is illegal to park in front of a driveway, whether it's public or private. This will land you a parking ticket, and your car will be towed. However, you can park in front of a driveway if you are the building's owner or tenant in that building with the driveway.
Is a private driveway a road?
Private driveway means a road constructed for the sole purpose of gaining access to a one or two-family residence. Private driveway means a privately owned access or egress that serves two or fewer dwelling units.
What is the end of a driveway called?
The apron, also known as the approach, is the part of the driveway closest to the road and usually made from the same material as the rest of the driveway.
What's the difference between a driveway and a laneway?
In brief: A drive is a small road that resides on private property, usually as a passageway way to a garage from the main road. A lane is a public road that may be narrow or wide, and have markings to indicate the position of the vehicles.
Can you park in front of a driveway without a dropped curb?
Do I need a dropped kerb? If you intend to drive a vehicle over the footway into your driveway off a highway, then you will need a dropped kerb. If you do not have dropped kerb, you must not drive over the footway. If you do so, you are breaking the law and enforcement action could be taken to prevent such practice.
What counts as a driveway for insurance?
Garage – this would typically be on your property. You may be asked if the garage is locked or unlocked. Driveway – a drive can be anywhere outdoors, somewhere on your property. On the road – typically, your insurance provider will assume that you park as close to your home as you can.
Is a driveway private property UK?
While there is no criminal law against the indecent act of someone parking on your driveway without your consent, your driveway is part of your property so by driving onto it the person is committing an act of trespassing.
How close can you park to a driveway in NYC?
Parking or standing is not allowed: In front of a driveway. Within 20 feet (6 m) of a crosswalk at an intersection. Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign. Within 20 feet (6 m) of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet (23 m) on the opposite side of the road.
What's the law on blocking a driveway?
If a vehicle is parked on your driveway without your permission, they are trespassing. As trespass is a civil and not criminal offence, the police will not always get involved. At most, they may send an officer to try and determine the owner of the vehicle and ask them to remove it.
Is it illegal to park in front of a driveway?
As it is a civil matter, it is not a police case. However if the car is causing an obstruction in the road then the police can be involved. The Highway Code states that a car cannot cause an obstruction to the road, but this does not include obstructing access to private land.
Can I paint my driveway yellow NYC?
Although you may have a legal driveway, the sidewalk, curb and roadway adjacent to your property are city-owned and property owners are not allowed to deface city property by painting the curb to deter parking. You can contact your local Police Precinct so that the parked vehicle can be ticketed and/or towed.
What Constitutes a Driveway?
Under the law, a driveway is defined as a vehicle path that connects a road to a public or private parking area, such as a garage or parking spaces in front of your home or business. A vehicle path that connects two parking areas is also considered a driveway under the law. Aisles in parking lots are not considered driveways.
What If I Have Permission from the Owner to Block a Driveway?
Asking permission to block a driveway keeps the peace in the neighborhood , but not necessarily with law enforcement. Laws that prohibit blocking driveways aren’t just for convenience. They also ensure that emergency vehicles and other vehicles have safe access to roadways. Blocking a driveway may also prevent emergency personnel from reaching someone who needs help.
What does it mean to park a car?
Parking a car means putting the vehicle in park, and exiting the vehicle. Stopping a vehicle means leaving the car in gear, but not moving. A vehicle is standing when it is temporarily stopped while you load and unload people or items from the vehicle. None of these activities are allowed if you block a driveway in the process.
How to report a car that is blocking my driveway?
Report a car that is blocking your driveway by contacting the police. Unless it is a true emergency, call the non-emergency number. If you live in a private community, report the violator to the HOA. Take down the make, model, and color of the vehicle. It will also help if you can get the license plate.
What to do if someone blocks your driveway?
If someone blocks your driveway, use the non-emergency number to call the police. Do not take the matter into your own hands. Even the friendliest of neighbors can get upset when they are told to move their vehicles.
What to do if the owner of the property does not agree to having you block the driveway?
If the owner of the property does not agree to having you block the driveway, avoid any debate or argument. Find other ways to conduct your business.
Do parking signs prevent people from blocking your driveway?
No parking signs, security cameras, and fences do wonders for preventing people from blocking your driveway.
What is a driveway in the movie?
A driveway (also called drive in UK English) is a type of private road for local access to one or a small group of structures, and is owned and maintained by an individual or group.
What materials are used for driveways?
Some of the materials that can be used for driveways include concrete, decorative brick, cobblestone, block paving, asphalt, gravel, decomposed granite, and surrounded with grass or other ground-cover plants. Driveways are commonly used as paths to private garages, carports, or houses.
Why are cars parked in driveways?
Often, either by choice or to conform with local regulations, cars are parked in driveways in order to leave streets clear for traffic. Moreover, some jurisdictions prohibit parking or leaving standing any motor vehicle upon any residential lawn area (defined as the property from the front of a residential house, condominium, or cooperative to the street line other than a driveway, walkway, concrete or blacktopped surface parking space). Other examples include the city of Berkeley, California that forbids "any person to park or leave standing, or cause to be parked or left standing any vehicle upon any public street in the City for seventy-two or more consecutive hours." Other areas may prohibit leaving vehicles on residential streets during certain times (for instance, to accommodate regular street cleaning), necessitating the use of driveways.
What is a driveway?
Driveway means that portion of a public place which provides vehicular access to adjacent property through a depression in the constructed curb or, when there is no constructed curb, that area in front of such vehicular facility as is well defined or as is designated by authorized signs or markings.
What does "driveway" mean?
Driveway means a private passageway for a motor vehicle, having at least one end thereof connected to a road, and providing the principal means of vehicular access to a lot. Sample 1. Sample 2.
How long is a standard driveway?
What Are Standard Driveway Lengths and Widths? The standard driveway length for a single-car driveway is 18 to 20 feet long and the standard width is 10 to 12 feet wide. A two-car driveway where the cars are parked side-by-side needs to be 18 to 20 feet wide and 18 to 20 feet long.
How much space do you need to park a vehicle behind the other?
Homeowners who must park vehicles one behind the other need an additional 18 to 20 feet of length for each extra vehicle. ADVERTISEMENT.
How long is a driveway apron?
Driveway aprons vary in length from about eight to 15 feet (starting at the street and measuring toward the house). Since the apron is a part of the driveway, its width (side to side) is identical to the width of the rest of the driveway—most of the time you can’t tell where the apron starts and the driveway stops.
What is an apron in a driveway?
The apron, also known as the approach, is the part of the driveway closest to the road and usually made from the same material as the rest of the driveway. Because driveway aprons are regulated by building codes in most communities, replacing yours—because it’s in bad shape or you’d like to widen the driveway—can be complicated.
What is curb cut?
A curb cut is where the existing curb is cut away to allow vehicles to enter the driveway. While communities are picky about driveway aprons, they’re even pickier about curb cuts because a system of curbs and gutters is a part of a larger drainage system. If you want to install a brand new driveway, not only will you need to follow codes ...
What to do if your driveway apron is bad?
If your driveway apron is in bad shape (presenting a danger to pedestrians), the local Code Compliance officer may ask you to have it repaired, which may include patching it (to the city’s standards) or replacing it. If you don’t, the city could fix it and then charge you for the repairs.
How much does it cost to install asphalt?
Asphalt, which must be installed by a paving company, runs approximately $3 to $6 per square foot. The company may also charge a setup fee, which could add another $1,000. Expect to pay $3 to $10 per square foot for materials if you want to install a paver or cobblestone apron.
What is the most common material used in a house?
Acceptable material—concrete is the most common, followed by asphalt, and then pavers.
Who can legally install a driveway apron?
When you apply for a permit to construct a new driveway apron, your local codes may regulate the following: Who can legally install the apron (a homeowner, a licensed contractor, or a city crew). The width and length of the apron. The slope of the apron ( water must drain into the gutter ).
What is a pervious paver?
Fortunately, pervious pavers are an alternative material for a solid foundation that allows water to soak back into the ground. Pervious is another word for permeable. You may remember the word from your science class but if not, the idea is simple.
Why put concrete pavers on lawn?
For instance, allowing some water to soak back into the ground will keep the direct and surrounding areas will need much less irrigation. That’s less work you need to do to maintain your lawn.
What are the problems with impermeable pavement?
Apart from water contamination, another problem faced when impermeable pavement is the accumulation of heat in and around cities. Sunlight is absorbed and reflected back as heat by impermeable surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete.
What is the measure of how much a rock has open spaces or pockets between cracks and cavities that hold water?
Although similar, they both do carry their own meaning. Porosity is the measure of how much a rock has open spaces or pockets between cracks and cavities that hold water. Permeability is a measure of how easy a fluid can move through a porous rock.
Is permeable pavement good for the environment?
Permeable pavement is not only a problem-solver and an alternate solution but mostly it is a better option for the environment and it goes to show that it is possible to use products that make your life not only easier but also sustainable.
Where does drinking water come from?
Our source of drinking water comes mainly from groundwater, which is also an important sources of nutrition for plants and trees.
Can you put permeable pavement on a driveway?
Before building your driveway, patio, or parking lot, address some of these issues by installing a permeable pavement. Some of these permeable pavement can even allow grass to grow and prosper within them. You can bring aesthetics to your home with many permeable options for water to properly drain on your property.
What is the minimum thickness of concrete for a driveway?
The concrete of the driveway approach, including the sidewalk section, shall be a minimum of six inches thick.
What is the apron on a driveway?
The component parts of the driveway approach are termed the apron, the end slopes or the curb return, and the sidewalk section. (c) “Apron” means that portion of the driveway approach extending from the back of the sidewalk section to the right-of-way line or a designated length, lying between the end slopes of the driveway approach.
Can you use a city street for private commercial use?
City street rights-of-way may not be used for private commercial purposes. A permit for the construction of driveway approaches shall not be issued unless vehicles to be served or serviced can be parked entirely within the private property lines. (Ord. 2012-29 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2012: Ord. B-1996 § 10, 1957).
