Bell Municipal Code Art. III Driveways

No person shall construct or reconstruct a vehicular access driveway to any lot in the city without first obtaining a permit therefor in the time and manner set forth in Article II of this chapter, except as otherwise provided in this article. A filing and processing fee shall be set by resolution of the city council.

(Prior code § 5420)

Driveways shall be constructed of cement concrete where a cement concrete curb exists.

(Prior code § 5421)

A. General. The director shall approve the location of driveways so as to ensure that the same will not constitute a hazard to pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic, nor encroach upon, or constitute a nuisance as to adjacent and/or abutting properties.

B. Location.

1. The minimum intervening distance between the side slopes or returns of adjacent driveways serving the same lot or parcel shall be 22 feet, unless a lesser distance is approved by the director. In the case of adjacent driveways serving two adjoining lots or parcels, the intervening distance between the side slopes or returns shall be at least one foot; otherwise a common or continuous driveway may be required.

2. A driveway, including the side slopes, shall not be constructed:

a. Between the prolonged intersecting property lines of any highways; or

b. Between the points of curvature of any curb return having a radius of 20 feet or less.

3. In applying the provisions of this section, the condition producing the greater length of curb between the specified control points in the particular case shall govern.

4. A driveway, including the side slopes, shall not be constructed between the points of curvature of any curb return except as hereinafter provided. In the case of a curb return having a radius of 25 feet or more, driveways may encroach at each end thereof for a distance not greater than one-eighth of the total arc length of the return, leaving in the clear at least three-quarters of such arc length, if such encroachment does not conflict with other requirements of this section.

5. The director shall have the authority to modify these requirements based upon receipt of evidence from the permittee that he or she will suffer a hardship if not granted an encroachment into the curb return.

6. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, a driveway shall not encroach on any curb return beyond or ahead of any traffic regulating device located on or adjacent thereto.

7. Where topographical or traffic conditions are such that a modification of the provisions of the preceding subdivisions pertaining to driveways are necessary for the promotion of traffic safety, and the director so finds, he or she may permit a deviation from the provisions of such sections to the extent which he or she finds necessary.

8. A driveway shall not be constructed or maintained where fences, building natural grade, or any other obstacle will prevent a vehicle from being stored entirely off the public right-of-way after entering such driveway.

C. Size.

1. Residential Driveways. Driveways serving properties classified in any of the R zones of the city shall be constructed and maintained so that:

a. The width of each individual driveway shall be not more than 20 feet nor less than 10 feet; and

b. The sum of all driveway widths on any lot shall not exceed 40% of the street frontage of the property on each abutting street.

2. Commercial and Industrial Driveways. Driveways serving properties classified in any zone other than an R zone shall be constructed and maintained so that:

a. The width of each individual driveway shall not exceed 30 feet if the street frontage of the property is less than 100 feet;

b. The width of each individual driveway shall not exceed 30% of the street frontage of the property when such frontage is 100 feet or more, provided no individual driveway width shall exceed 60 feet; and

c. The sum of all driveway widths on any lot does not exceed 60% of the street frontage of the property on each abutting street.

(Prior code § 5422)