CITY OF PARK RIDGE
Department of Community Preservation and Development
Building Safety Division
505 Butler Place, Park Ridge, IL 60068 | Tel 847-318-5291 Fax 847-318-6411
www.parkridge.us
Driveway, Apron, Curb Cut and Sidewalk Guidelines
This handout provides information regarding the application of building permits for driveways, aprons,
curb cuts for one and two-family detached residences. This handout is for general information
purposes only, and is not a substitute for the actual text of codes. If discrepancies arise, the codes shall
govern.
PERMIT APPLICATION CHECKLIST
The following documents and information must be provided for driveway, curb cut or sidewalk permits.
Failure to submit the appropriate information could result in delay in the issuance of the permit.
_____ City of Park Ridge Building Permit Application. Please ensure form is signed by the applicant
and has all information filled in, including contractors and their contact information. All
contractors must be registered with the City. This permit application can be found on line at:
http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/Permit%20Application%202010.pdf
_____ Letter Describing Scope of Work. Clarify whether this project is to replace an existing deck
or construct a new one.
_____ Plat of Survey. Submit the most recent Plat of Survey prepared for the property. The
following information must be indicated and/or annotated on the survey (a separate scaled
site plan may also be submitted):
o Clearly distinguish any areas of existing driveway, apron and sidewalk with proposed areas of
driveway, apron and sidewalk.
o Label and show with arrows the drainage flow from driveway and apron to adjacent areas.
o Label distances from proposed driveway and apron to nearest lot line.
_____ Certification of Plat Accuracy. Along with the Plat of Survey submit one of the two following
certifications:
o Property Owner’s Certification of Present Accuracy of Attached Survey. This certifies
that the survey submitted with the application accurately depicts the current
conditions on the property. See:
http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/AffidavitSurvey.pdf
OR
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Driveway, Apron, Curb and Sidewalk Guidelines
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o Property Owner’s Certification Regarding Attached Survey. This must be submitted if
changes to the property, e.g. addition of patio, enlargement of driveway, have been
made since the date of the survey. Such additions should be annotated on the survey.
Failure to accurately reflect the conditions on the property could result in delay in the
permit being issued or stop-work orders being issued after work starts. See:
http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/AffidavitSurvey2.pdf
_____ Plans. Indicate placement.
_____ Zoning Calculations. A Zoning Calculations worksheet is available from the CP&D
Department and can be found on line. For specific submission requirements for various
accessory structures, see guidance below. The worksheet can be found online at:
http://www.parkridge.us/assets/1/Documents/ZONING_CALCULATIONS_5-07.pdf
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Driveways, overlays, and approaches shall not be constructed in such a manner as to create
ponding, flooding of adjoining properties, or an obstruction to natural drainage.
Driveway width should be a minimum of eight feet.
Under no circumstances are new curb cuts and/or new depressed curbs allowed to be installed
unless the work has written approval by the City of Park Ridge Public Works Department and
Community Preservation and Development Department.
Zoning regulations require 40% open space in R-2 zoned lots and 45% open space in R-1 zoned lots.
Driveways are not considered open space; large driveways could thus impact adherence to the open
space requirement.
Horizontal saw cutting a concrete curb is not allowed. A new concrete curb must be poured.
Max width of aprons (see diagrams below):
o Detached garage: max 12ft wide + 3ft flares on each side at street.
o Attached garage: max 18ft wide + 3ft flares on each side at street.
No wire mesh allowed in aprons or public sidewalks.
CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES
Driveways for one and two-family detached dwellings shall be constructed as follows:
Concrete Driveways
A minimum of four inches of well-compacted crushed stone or C.A. 6 shall be used as a suitable base
upon which four inches of concrete, six-bag mix shall be placed.
Expansion joints are required at the garage apron, between the driveway and the adjacent
foundation wall, and, where applicable, at private and public sidewalks. Expansion material shall
extend the entire thickness of the slab.
Contraction joints are required every 10 lineal feet of driveway length, at a minimum of 1/4 the
thickness of the slab.
Proper placement, curing and protection of driveway slabs shall meet the recommendations found
in the American Concrete Institute Standards.
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Asphalt Driveways
A minimum of six inches of well-compacted crushed stone, or C.A.-6 shall be used as a suitable base
upon which two inches of Class I Bituminous Surface shall be placed.
A minimum of one inch of Class I bituminous surface is required for required for all driveway
resurfacing.
Paver Driveways. Brick pavers shall have a proper base and lateral support. Brick pavers must be
installed in accordance with manufacturers’ installation instructions.
Other. Any other material used for a driveway shall be approved by the Building Official and shall be
installed in accordance with manufacturers’ installation instructions. Note that gravel driveways are not
allowed.
FIGURE 1: DRIVEWAY TO DETACHED GARAGE FIGURE 2: DRIVEWAY TO ATTACHED GARAGE
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FIGURE 4: “PAVEMENT LEGEND” FOR PUBLIC DRIVEWAYS, APRONS AND SIDEWALKS
FIGURE 3: CURB CUT ADJACENT TO EXISTING PAVEMENT
