Driveway Paving and Widening

What is the cost of the permit?

Why do I need a permit for this work?

This permit approval ensures that the work being done complies with Town standards, that your water shut-off valve has been inspected before your new driveway is installed and that appropriate liability insurance and WSIB coverage is in place.

Prior to paving, the Town's Water Services Division will conduct an inspection of your water shut-off valve to make sure that there are no issues with the valve that would require the Town to damage a newly paved driveway to complete a repair. Any necessary repairs will be completed by the Town before paving is completed.

The Town’s Transportation Department also completes an inspection to note of any issues seen in the Town owned Right-of-Way. For example, existing damage to the curb, sidewalk, roadway in front of the address, etc.

Once we have a permit, how can we ensure we get our deposit back?

Your paving contractor is responsible for protecting the water shut-off valve during paving operations and is responsible for any damage to the valve that may occur as a result of the work.

Home owners should also ensure that there is no damage to any areas in the Town owned Right-of-Way which includes the sidewalk, curb, roadway, grassed areas, etc. The homeowner will be responsible for any damage caused.

I'm not sure if my planned work fits the definition. How do I know if I need a permit?

Permits are required for all paving projects that extend to the Town road. If you are unsure if you require a permit, please contact us prior to commencing any work.​

Any work done within the boulevard without a permit, including driveway paving, will be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Entrance and Driveway Width Extension By-law. Project delays, work orders and monetary fines may be imposed for work done without a permit.​​

I ​want to widen my driveway. What is and is not allowed?

• A homeowner IS permitted to widen their driveway but may NOT modify the existing width at the curb (a.k.a.curb cutting).
• The new full width of the driveway can extend from the front of the garage to the property line (see your survey to determine your property line); from that point it must taper to the existing width of the curb. (see diagram)
• Driveway widenings are not permitted where they interfere with Town-owned boulevard trees, utility cabinets and/or other street furniture.

Why can't I get my curb widened/cut?

What do I need to know before undertaking driveway widening?

• ​Driveway widenings must comply with the Town's Zoning By-law requirements
• Driveway widenings shall not interfere with or obstruct existing drainage swales, sidewalks or catch basins
• Water shut-off valves should not be located in a paved driveway where possible
• Water shut-off valves that are located in paved driveways should be kept flush to grade where they can be easily accessed by Town staff
• Landscaping, retaining walls, gardens, etc., are not permitted in the Town's boulevard
• Any work done as part of a driveway widening is at the sole risk and responsibility of the property owner and the Town is not responsible for replacing any items removed from the boulevard should maintenance or reconstruction work be required

How is th​​e Zoning By-law relevant to widening my driveway?

Complia​nce with the Zoning By-law when widening a driveway ensures that:

• landscaped amenity space is preserved
• stormwater drainage remains unobstructed
• neighbourhood character and urban design are not negatively impacted (i.e. creation of over-paving and parking lots is discouraged)
• vehicles can be easily parked, entered and exited
• front yards maintain a functional and organized layout.​​​

Wha​t definitions should I understand before going any further​?

Driveway: a defined area providing access for motor vehicles from a public or private street or a lane to facilities such as a parking area, parking lot, loading space, private garage, carport, building or structure.

Garage Door: the width of the garage door opening(s), which is used for vehicular access. Where there is more than one opening, the garage door width shall be the distance between the two outer extremities of the garage door opening(s), including any intervening columns, doors, windows or wall sections which might separate two or more garage door opening(s).

Required Parking Space: a required parking space must be 2.7m by 6.0m. For example, if you are widening your driveway for the purpose of creating a new required parking space you must be able to extend your driveway pad to a minimum dimension of 5.4m by 6.0m. (s5.4.1 of By-law 2010-050).

Note: Vehicles parked ​in the front, interior or exterior yard mus​t be parked within the maximum driveway width (i.e. not on the lawn/yard). (s5.15.2(a)(c) of By-law 2010-050).

How do I determine my maximum driveway width?

The maximum driveway width shall be the garage door width plus 1.5 metres. (s5.16.1(b) of By-law 2010-050).

OR

1. If you have an attached private garage with a total garage door width less than 3.6m you are permitted to have a maximum driveway width of 5.5m. PLEASE NOTE this exception does not apply to townhouses. (s5.16.1(c) of By-law 2010-050).
2. If you have no attached or detached garage you are permitted to have a maximum driveway width of 5.5m. (s5.16.1(d) of By-law 2010-050).

What rules do I need to follow when designing my driveway, patio or walkway?

• Hard surfaces must be no closer than 0.6 metres from the side lot line in order to maintain existing storm water drainage. (s3 of By-law 94-026 & Table 4.1, s5.4.1(f), and s5.15.2(f) of By-law 2010-050).
• Vehicles located in the interior yard must be parked 1.0m away from the property line.(s5.15.2(e) of By-law 2010-050).
• In calculating the driveway width Staff include any level hard surfacing connected to the driveway entrance that can be used to park a vehicle.
• If you want to construct a patio or walkways connected to the driveway beyond the maximum permitted driveway width, Staff requires that the driveway be clearly delineated and obstructed to prevent the parking of vehicles on the patio or walkway. Suggested delineation elements include, but are not limited to a 6 inch curb, an armour stone rock, or a light post.
• Should you require a taper, curb cut or expect to impact the public right-of-way you must complete the Road Occupancy Permit / Entrance Permit Application Form. (Please contact the Transportation Division at 905-775-5369).

How do I find my property line?

If you don't know where your property lines are located, please review your legal plan. Often a legal plan is given to the owner at the time of purchase of the dwelling. If you cannot locate a legal plan please call the Building Department to see if they have one on file. A copy can be obtained by owner with valid photo identification.

Drawing on a copy of the legal plan is often an easier way to sketch up your plan.

Should you have questions, feel free to contact the Office of Community Planning.

How​ do I get a permit to widen my driveway?

A permit is required for anyone proposing to widen their driveway. Permit applications are coordinated through the Town of BWG Community Services Department (Transportation Division) located at 3541 Line 11.

An application for a Driveway Widening Permit will not be considered until such time as the Transportation Division has received ALL of the following:

• A completed R​oad Occupancy Permit Application.
• Payment of the applicable fee and security deposit – payable via cash, cheque or credit card
• A copy of the Legal Plan for the Property
• A recent photograph (dated) of the front elevation of the home including public property (hydrants, trees, utility boxes, etc.)
• A detailed site plan showing existing and proposed features complete with dimensions (see below for an example of the required plan and dimensions)
• Liability Insurance in the amount of $5 million naming the Town as additional insured (contractor to provide if using a contractor to do the work)
• WSIB Clearance Certificate (if utilizing a contractor)
• Traffic Management Plan (if required) – TMP shall comply with OTM Book 7 requirements

Important Notes

• It is the Owner's responsibility to confirm the exact location of the property lines
• The Owner and/or the contractor is responsible for any damage caused to the sidewalk, boulevard, street trees or any other street hardware resulting from work associated with the driveway widening

What should my site plan look like?

Your site plan should represent the existing site conditions and the proposed work. Include as much detail as possible. Important dimensions to include on your plan include:

• Garage Door Width
• Existing Driveway Width
• Driveway Depth
• Proposed Widening Width
• Setback of Hard Surfacing to the property line