Public Works Engineering
Assistant County Engineer | Engineering Division Manager
Thomas Weller, P.E.
Development
Review FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions)
Other questions can be
answered by emailing us or by calling (360) 416-1400. |
Question:
What are the road construction requirements for a driveway?
Answer:
A driveway
is a private access to one or two lots or residences.Access
through another landowner’s lot requires a minimum of a
20 foot wide easement. Road names and road name signs are not
required for driveways.
The driveway
must be constructed using a minimum of six inches of gravel
base and a 12-foot driving surface. For driveways longer than
300 feet, turnouts are required every 300 feet. Turnouts
should be 20 feet wide for a distance of 30 feet to allow vehicles
to pull over and allow emergency vehicles to proceed.The maximum
slope on the driveway must not exceed 12% for a gravel driveway
or 14% if surfaced.
Permit
requirements:
|
Question:
What are the road construction requirements for a short plat?
Answer:
Short plat roads are private roads for access to three or four
residences or lots.Short plat roads require a 20-foot driving
surface and a minimum of 50 feet of right-of-way. Road names
and road name signs are required for short plat roads if the
road provides access to four or more lots and must indicate
that the road is private.Private road name signs must be yellow
with black lettering.Stop signs may also be required for private
roads.
Short plat
roads must be constructed using a minimum of 10 inches of gravel
base and 2 inches of crushed surfacing top course. A 2% crown
(slope from the left of the road to the edge of the driving
surface) and a 20-foot driving
surface is needed for this type of road. The maximum slope
on the short plat road must not exceed 12%. The maximum slope
from the edge of the road to either the left of the ditch
(if required) or native soil (if no ditches are required) is
3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical (3:1).The maximum slope
from the left of the ditch up to the top of the native soil
is 1 foot horizontal to 1 foot vertical (1:1).Ditches must be
a minimum of 1 foot deep from the top of subgrade (before gravel
base is placed).There may be additional requirements for ditches
or detention dependant on the grade of the road and the quantity
ofwater that may be expected to flow into the ditches.Temporary
erosion and sedimentation control are typically required to
prevent the migration of sediment off of the construction site
and into surrounding water conveyance systems (ditches, streams,
lakes, etc.).
Permit
requirements:
|
Question: What are the
road construction requirements for a County
road?
Answer:
A county standard road is required for all roads within
a long plat and for roads providing access to more than 16 lots.Minimum
county standard roads require a 20-foot asphalt driving surface
with 2-foot shoulders and a minimum of 60 feet of right-of-way.Wider
driving surface and/or shoulders may be required depending on
traffic generated and classification of the road.Consult the
current Skagit County Road Standards to determine the road requirements.
Long plat roads are dedicated county roads unless a variance
to remain private is requested and approved.Private roads may
become county roads through a petition process through which
the county accepts responsibility and ownership for the road.
Road names and road name signs are required for this type of
road and must indicate whether the road is private or county.Private
road name signs must be yellow with black lettering and county
road name signs must be green with white lettering.Stop signs
are also required for county standard roads.
TOP
|
|
Question:
Can my neighbor drain water on my property?
Answer:
If the water is flowing in a natural or existing drainage
system (streams, swales, or ditches), it may continue to be
used. In addition, if a drainage easement has been provided,
it may be used. New or substantially increased flow onto a neighbor’s
property is not allowed.
|
Question:
What is required to use unopened county right-of-way for access purposes?
Answer:
A Trail
Permit is required to utilize unopened county
right-of-way for access purposes for up to four lots. For access
to more than four lots, a Right-of-Way
Permit is required. In this case, the road must
be brought up to county road standards and will then be brought
into the county road system. Contact Skagit County Public Works
to obtain a Trail Permit by calling (360) 416-1400.
TOP
|
Question:
Is there anything I need to do to work within
the county right-of-way?
Answer:
An Access
Permit is required for connecting a driveway
to a county road or right-of-way. A Utility
Permit is needed for any other work within the
county right-of-way. These permits may also be obtained by calling
Public Works at (360) 416-1400.
TOP
|
|
Question:
When do I need a Fill and Grade Permit?
Answer:
A Fill and Grade Permit may be required for any grading
work involving substantial ground disturbing activity (either
fill or excavation) or that affects drainage in the area.The
following checklist may be used to determine the need for a
Fill and Grade Permit. Read about “Clearing, Grubbing, and Forest Practices” and obtain a Grading Permit application from the Planning & Development Services forms and handouts webpage.
|
