Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks in Kirkland, WA

Driveways & sidewalks in Kirkland: what to know

Kirkland’s Policy R-1 sets 4 inches of concrete on a 4-inch crushed rock base for private driveway pavement, and 6 inches for concrete in the public right-of-way. The same policy limits wheel strip designs to single-family projects with long access drives, and those designs cannot serve more than one home, including ADUs and DADUs. A shared drive or a multi-unit lot needs a full-width layout instead.

Replacing a driveway inside its current footprint is the simplest Public Works track. The No Fee permit covers like-for-like replacement or upgrades when no city infrastructure is affected. A Basic permit covers work that only changes the curb and the entrance ramp, and it requires right-of-way restoration security. A Standard permit applies when the work significantly affects sidewalks, street pavement, or drainage structures.

Permits and rules in Kirkland

A driveway replacement in Kirkland is filed under one of three Public Works permit types, and the type follows the scope at the street. Kirkland’s guidance says a sidewalk 30 inches or less above grade may not need a building permit when it is not over a basement or story below and is not part of an accessible route. Permit exemptions do not apply in flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline, or other critical areas, so we check the lot before we quote.

Kirkland’s permit guidance requires a permit for rockeries and retaining walls over four feet. Driveway replacement and any work in the public right-of-way need a Public Works permit. Sidewalks 30 inches or less above grade may not need a building permit when they are not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route. Permit exemptions do not apply in areas of flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline, or other land use critical areas. Rules change, so we confirm the current requirements with the city before we start.

How we approach it

Pick the Public Works permit type from the scope at the curb and entrance ramp
Pour private pavement at 4 inches over a 4-inch crushed rock base
Build the street section at 6 inches under Policy R-1
Check the lot for a wheel-strip fit before proposing that layout

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 Kirkland

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

Questions from Kirkland homeowners

Does replacing a Kirkland driveway need a Public Works permit?

The apron and the street connection do. Replacing the driveway inside its current footprint can fall under the No Fee permit type, while work that changes the curb or entrance ramp needs a Basic permit with right-of-way restoration security.

How thick should concrete be in a Kirkland driveway?

Policy R-1 sets 4 inches of concrete on a 4-inch crushed rock base for private property, and 6 inches for concrete in the public right-of-way. We build to those depths and confirm the street section with the city.

Can a Kirkland home have a wheel-strip driveway?

Only in a narrow set of cases. Policy R-1 limits wheel strip designs to single-family projects with long access drives, and they cannot serve more than one home, including ADUs and DADUs. We check the lot against that limit before proposing the layout.