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Driveway Permits

[ Forms & Applications ]

In Accordance with Deschutes County Code Sections 12.28.050 and 17.48.210, You Need a Driveway Permit if You are:

  1. Creating a new driveway.
  2. Rebuilding, widening or improving an existing driveway or sidewalk.
  3. Changing the use of an existing driveway (i.e. farm to residential use, residential to commercial use or farm to commercial use.)

Driveway Permits are Issued for:

  1. Access to public roads or right-of-ways that are either maintained or not maintained by Deschutes County.

    -OR-
     
  2. For connections of private roads to public roads or right-of-ways.

Driveway Process for Non-curbed Street

  1. Fill out and sign driveway permit application form.
  2. Submit the driveway form along with a site plan sketch, and pay the appropriate fee.
  3. Mark the proposed driveway location in the field.
  4. County inspector researches planning land use actions.
  5. Inspector makes site visit to determine need for a culvert and/or site distance requirements.
  6. Driveway access permit application is approved or denied; if denied, Deschutes County will work with applicant to find an alternative safe, suitable driveway location.
  7. Driveway is built to the standard construction detail and the additionalspecifications noted on the approved driveway permit.

Driveway Permit Process for Curbed Street*

* If pavement requires cutting, an additional permit for work within the public right-of-way would be required from the County Road Department.

  1. Fill out and sign driveway permit application form.
  2. Submit the driveway form along with a site plan sketch, and pay the appropriate fee.
  3. Receive an approved permit, which includes the construction standards.
  4. Prepare location for pouring concrete.
  5. Call for inspection prior to pouring concrete; allow 24-hour minimum response time for inspection.
  6. When approval has been granted, you may pour concrete.

Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Driveway Permits

  1. How long does the process take?
    Anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks.
     
  2. Who can apply for the permit?
    The property owner, or their designated representative.
     
  3. What kind of drainage culvert and backfill do I need?
    The minimum culvert size located in county right-of-way is 12 inches in diameter.  When a culvert is required, the inspector will determine the correct size during a site visit.  A larger size may be required.
     
  4. How wide do I construct my driveway?

    Any required culvert must extend at least 12 inches beyond each side of the driveway.
     

    Type

    Width (in feet)

    Residential

    14(single), 20(double)

    Agricultural

    20

    Commercial/Industrial

    35

  5. Do the requirements apply to my entire driveway?
    No.  They apply only to that portion that is within the public right-of-way (normally that area between the road and your property line).
     
  6. Cost?
    Driveway access permits are $55.00.

Please Note:  Driveway Construction Cannot Begin Until an Approved Permit Has Been Obtained.