Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks in Yelm, WA

Driveways & sidewalks in Yelm: what to know

A driveway apron sits on the edge of the road, so the public works director is asked whether a right-of-way access permit applies before the forms go in. Right-of-way use permits are processed by the public works director under YMC 18.12.030, and we request the answer in writing.

Grade is read at three points on the drive: the street edge, the midpoint, and the garage slab. Runoff from the paved surface is routed to a gravel infiltration area, a vegetated strip, or an outlet on the lot, and nothing is aimed into a neighboring lot. The new-development line in YMC 13.16 is totaled for the whole lot, drive included, before the apron is poured.

Permits and rules in Yelm

Before the pour date is booked, we check whether the apron needs a right-of-way access permit, and we confirm the new impervious total for the lot against the 5,000 square foot line. Any apron that reaches the public road goes to the public works director in writing, and the concrete waits for that reply. Trucks are booked only after the answer is on file.

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

How we approach it

Read grade at the street edge, midpoint, and garage slab
Total new impervious area for the whole lot against 5,000 square feet
Ask the public works director about a right-of-way access permit before forming the apron
Route runoff to an infiltration area, a vegetated strip, or an outlet on the lot

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 Yelm

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

Questions from Yelm homeowners

Does a Yelm driveway need a right-of-way access permit?

It may. Yelm’s engineering specifications say one may be required before work in the road can commence, so we ask the public works director about the apron before any forms go in. The answer is filed with the scope, and the pour waits for it.

Does a new Yelm driveway bring in the stormwater rules?

It can. YMC 13.16.070(B)(1)(a) sets the new-development line at 5,000 square feet or more of new impervious surface, or one acre or more of land disturbing activity, so we total the drive with the patio and walk areas before the layout is fixed.

Who keeps a Yelm driveway drainage outlet working?

The lot owner does. YMC 13.20.050(D) assigns that upkeep to property owners, so the outlet is noted on the scope for the owner to check.