Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks in Snohomish, WA

Driveways & sidewalks in Snohomish: what to know

A Snohomish driveway has two permit tracks. The slab can fall under the state residential exemption for driveways and walks that rise no more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and have no basement or story beneath them. That exemption speaks only to the building permit for the slab, so the street end is scoped on its own track.

The street end is governed by SMC 12.20.130, which makes it unlawful to install, remove, alter, repair, replace, or construct a sidewalk, curb, gutter, or driveway without a permit from the Public Works Director, and bars the work until that permit is issued. Right-of-way work also falls under SMC 12.12, which requires a separate right-of-way permit for each disturbance.

Permits and rules in Snohomish

Before we quote a Snohomish driveway, we confirm the slab’s height above adjacent grade and whether any part of it sits over a basement or lower story, because those facts decide the state exemption. We also check whether the street end needs a permit under SMC 12.20.130 and a right-of-way permit under SMC 12.12. The Public Works Director issues the first, so we ask that office how the approach is reviewed for your address. Both answers go into the scope so the crew and the paperwork match.

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

How we approach it

Measure the slab’s height above adjacent grade at each edge
Check for any basement or story below the slab
Confirm the Public Works permit for the street end before forms go in
Keep the apron, sidewalk, and right-of-way work on its own permit track

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 Snohomish

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

Questions from Snohomish homeowners

Is a Snohomish driveway exempt from a building permit?

The state residential exemption can cover a driveway that rises no more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, has no basement or story beneath it, and is not part of an accessible route. The street end still falls under the Public Works permit in SMC 12.20.130, so we confirm that separately before quoting.

Who maintains the sidewalk in front of a Snohomish driveway?

Under SMC 12.20.010, the property directly abutting a sidewalk carries the duty, burden, and expense of its maintenance, repair, and renewal. The chapter also sets a notice-to-repair procedure and a city-action section, so a sidewalk left in poor repair can draw a city notice.

Does resurfacing a Snohomish driveway need a city permit?

SMC 12.20.130 names altering, repairing, and replacing a driveway as covered work, so a resurfacing that changes the approach is a question for Public Works. We confirm with that office whether the surface work counts before the crew is booked.