Torrance Municipal Code Art. 4 Driveways

(Amended by O-1381; O-3250)

a) In order to limit the need for new curb cuts and reduce vehicular conflicts at driveway/public street intersections, residential properties with abutting alleys shall take vehicular access to off-street parking from the alley only unless an alternate driveway location is approved by the City Engineer. Such an approval may be granted if, in the judgment of the City Engineer:

1. Unreasonable difficulties will result from strict enforcement of this section; and

2. It will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or to the property of other persons located in the vicinity thereof; and

3. It will not substantially interfere with the orderly development of the City.

b) The decision of the City Engineer may be appealed to the City Council pursuant to the provisions of Article 5, Chapter 1, Division 1, commencing at Section 11.5.1

c) Upon approval of the placement of a driveway, such driveway shall be constructed in accordance with the following specifications:

1. No driveway opening through a curb shall be constructed which is more than thirty (30) feet in width, exclusive of side slopes, unless the abutting property is used or is to be used for commercial or industrial purposes and permission therefor is first obtained from the City Engineer of the City.

2. Except as provided in subsection 1), no driveway opening through a curb shall be constructed which is more than twenty (20) feet in width, exclusive of side slopes, unless special permission therefor is first obtained from the City Engineer of the City.

3. All driveways on the same lot shall be separated by at least twenty (20) feet of curb, exclusive of side slopes.

4. All driveways shall be constructed in accordance with specifications of the City Engineer of the City.

Whenever a through lot exists, as defined in Division 9, as amended, which through lot adjoins a major or secondary street or highway, as defined or set forth in the master plan of highways of the City, unless otherwise specifically permitted by the Planning Commission of the City, no person shall construct, establish, alter or enlarge any driveway from such through lot onto such major or secondary street or highway.

(Added by O-1614)

Driveways shall be abandoned where such driveways do not permit vehicular access to one (1) or more automobile parking spaces lawfully existing within the provisions of Chapter 2 of Division 9.

(Added by O-1614)

a) Whenever a garage, carport, parking area or driveway is abandoned, all pavement and other improvements which are located on public and private property used for driveway purposes shall be removed, excepting that portion serving as the public sidewalk.

b) Such removal shall be accomplished by the owner of the private property on which such driveway is located. If such driveway is on a private easement, the owner of the private easement shall be jointly liable for such removal. If such driveway is located on two (2) or more parcels of land, the owner of each parcel shall remove that portion of such driveway which is on his parcel.

c) The depressed curb portion of such driveway shall be reconstructed to match the curb section on either end of such driveway.

d) A permit for the construction of a driveway shall not be issued for any parcel of land on which an abandoned driveway exists in violation of the provisions of subsection a).