Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks in Camano Island, WA

Driveways & sidewalks in Camano Island: what to know

The county’s residential exemption list names sidewalks and driveways without a height limit, but that list does not reach the county road. Where new access meets a county road, the access form requires an approved permit before a building permit is issued, and approval covers county right-of-way only. A new approach is therefore reviewed as its own item, and the county grants or denies it within 15 working days after the application is deemed complete.

The form sets a driveway setback of at least 5 feet from the property line and a 20-foot flat section with a grade limit of two feet of rise in a hundred feet, unless preapproved. It also calls for a 6-inch swale set 8 feet from the edge of pavement, and beveled culvert ends wherever a culvert is used. No apron work begins until the county engineer or designee approves it.

Permits and rules in Camano Island

Before quoting, we confirm whether the approach is a new access, a replacement, or a widening, because the form lists new access types and does not name replacement or widening as separate categories. We confirm the access type with county Public Works and record the 15-working-day clock in the scope. Any apron piece stays open until the county writes back.

Rules change and vary by parcel, so we confirm the current requirements with the city before we start.

How we approach it

Confirm the access type on the county form before layout
Hold the 5-foot setback and the 20-foot flat section
Set the swale 8 feet back from the pavement edge
Start no apron work until the county approves

For the full process, see our Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks page.

Building in the cold months? See our guide to winter concrete pours.

Our driveways & sidewalks work, serving Camano Island

Examples of our work. We build driveways & sidewalks in Camano Island and the cities around it. See all of our work

Questions from Camano Island homeowners

Can a Camano Island driveway skip the building permit?

The county’s residential list names sidewalks and driveways without a height limit. The access form still applies where a driveway meets a county road, and an approved access permit is required before a building permit is issued in that case.

How long does Island County take to decide a driveway access permit?

The county engineer or designee must grant or deny the access within 15 working days, and that clock starts once the county deems the application complete. Work does not begin until approval is given.

What setback does Island County require for a driveway?

The access form states that a driveway must be at least 5 feet from the property line. It also sets a 20-foot flat section with a grade limit unless the county preapproves a steeper one.