Effective Date: 5/18/2018
Category: Plan Review/Permitting/Inspections
Memorandum from Public Works About Driveway Installations
Through sidewalk projects and other construction projects, it has come to the County’s attention that some driveways have not been installed to the proper specifications. County inspectors are tasked with ensuring that everything in the ROW is installed per County codes and ordinances. Ordinance 85-43 requires that concrete residential driveways have a footer the full width with 2 # 5 rebar’s full width of the drive entrance adjacent to the asphalt and 6” x 6” #10 mesh in place on concrete chairs from the ROW to the asphalt with a minimum thickness of 4” 2,500 PSI concrete over a stable subgrade. We do allow 3000 PSI with fiber mesh in place of the wire mesh and 2500 PSI. If an Inspector does not feel or cannot tell that something is constructed in accordance with the ordinance; it is the contractor’s responsibility to prove that it is installed per the specifications in the ordinances, or the driveway must be removed and re-installed.
I am open to suggestions on how we can work together to ensure that our ordinances and specifications are being followed while trying to help keep the costs at an acceptable level for all parties. Some suggestions I have are to either a call for an inspection before the concrete pour or take pictures and/or video throughout the process with location, permit number, and date documentation. The pictures and/or videos will need to show the width and depth of the footer with the rebar in place and a straight edge across various locations, as well as an engineer’s ruler to show that proper thickness is obtained. The ROW inspectors will be happy to work with each of you to come up with a cost-effective way to ensure the driveways are being built to the proper specifications.
If more information is needed, please contact Tony Cissell, ROW Supervisor, at 941.743.1955 or Anthony.Cissell@CharlotteCountyFL.gov. Thank you.