§ 1004. Driveway Regulations.

1004.1.   Purpose and Intent.

These regulations are established to provide for safe and efficient access to and from driveways intersecting any street, as well as for the safety and efficiency of pedestrian and vehicular movement, within any such rights-of-way.

1004.2.   Access and Drainage Permit Required.

A.

Access and Drainage Permit. No portion of a driveway which extends from the property line outwards toward the edge of the abutting roadway pavement shall be constructed, improved, or enlarged without an access and drainage permit issued by the Department Director in accordance with this Section. For the purpose of this Section, a driveway shall include, in addition to the actual driveway, a sidewalk, culvert, drainage or stormwater structure, swale, driveway apron, roadway shoulder or handicap ramp within the rights-of-way, and any construction within the visibility triangle and right-of-way. A permit is not required for regular driveway maintenance.

B.

Pre-requisite for Building Permit. Where an access and drainage permit is required, no building permit shall be issued for a structure on a lot until an access and drainage permit has been issued.

C.

Application Submittal. Applicants for an access and drainage permit shall submit a written application in a form as deemed necessary by the Public Works Department and a site development plan. The plan which accompanies the application shall include:

1.

The location, size, and alignment of the proposed driveway, the curb and/or gutter line, sidewalks, any official rights-of-way line of the intersected street, approximate distances and location of all existing driveways of all adjoining lots along the same street line within one hundred (100) feet. In the case of a corner lot, the plan shall show the location of the driveway for the adjoining lots of both streets.

2.

The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed parking areas on the lot within fifty (50) feet of the proposed curb cut. The location of trees adjacent to the proposed curb cut, structures including free standing signs, storm drains, and any fencing near the curb cut.

3.

The location of each visibility triangle shall be shown on the plan.

D.

Approval. The Department Director shall review the application and shall approve, approve with stated conditions, or deny the application, stating in writing the reasons for any denial.

E.

Appeal Process. All appeals of the driveway access standards in this section shall be in accordance with Chapter 3.

F.

Driveway Standards. No permit shall be issued except in conformance with the following requirements; provided, however, the Department Director may increase the distance between driveways to the extent necessary to assure safe and efficient ingress and egress to a lot, based on existing roadway widths and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards. Driveway standards are contained in the Manatee County Public Works Standards Manual.

G.

Construction Standards. Driveways shall be constructed in accordance with the Manatee County Public Works Standards, but at a minimum, all driveways shall be constructed and maintained with a dustless surface, approved by the Department Director, from the edge of the road's pavement to the right-of-way line.

H.

Vehicular Use of Right-of-Way Shoulders Prohibited. Except for the approved driveway entrance and exits, the area between the edge of a street, road or highway and the property line shall not be used for vehicle maneuvering or parking.

I.

Stacking Lanes, Local Frontage Roads. Where deemed necessary by the Department Director to prevent traffic hazards or congestion, stacking lanes adequate to accommodate maximum queuing of vehicles turning into the subject driveway shall be provided in accordance with the Manatee County Public Works Standards. A local frontage road may be required in lieu of any necessary stacking lanes.

J.

Measurement. Measurement of driveway width or spacing shall not include any necessary corner radii, for turning movements.

K.

Recorded Easements. No improvement shall create potential or actual impoundment of water on, or discharge water onto, adjacent property in such a manner as to affect existing development or increase problems of future development on adjacent property, unless the County has accepted recorded easements with the affected adjoining properties affected. The improvements shall not divert on-site stormwater to the roadway.