Austin Concrete Permits: What Needs One and Who Pulls It

Not in Austin. The city says sidewalks and driveways not located in the public right-of-way do not require a building or Driveway/Sidewalk permit, and adds that work exempt from a permit must still comply with the Residential Code and other city requirements. A slab that belongs to a building, like an addition or a garage, is part of that building's permit; see Austin slabs.

Any work on a driveway approach, sidewalk, curb or gutter in the public right-of-way. The city says the DS permit is the one to get for any kind of driveway, sidewalk, curb or gutter work, and describes it as covering removing, repairing, modifying or installing sidewalks, driveway approaches, walkways and curbs and gutters in the right-of-way. A few more details:

• If you have a building permit, one DS permit is created automatically with the same number.
• Each driveway needs its own DS permit; a semi-circular driveway is done under one.
• A driveway that isn't built to the city standard goes to Land Development Engineering and may need a waiver or variance request.

$275 for a new DS permit, plus inspection fees. The city's fee table lists $240 for an extension or revision. Inspection fees are added on residential permits: $525.01 base for a Type I or III driveway approach plus $88.43 per additional driveway, and $336.65 per sidewalk inspection plus $1.77 per linear foot. A driveway re-inspection is $188.80. The full price picture is in the Austin concrete price guide.

Only a contractor holding a Right-of-Way Contractor License, or someone on its authorized agent form. The license is required to perform DS work in the right-of-way, and anyone submitting a permit on a licensed contractor's behalf must be listed on that contractor's authorized agent form. Subcontractors who affect the right-of-way must be named on the permit and licensed as well. The hiring guide shows how to check the license list.

Up to three extra reviews, when the concrete is part of a residential building permit. Austin's plan review can add a tree review for trees 19 inches or greater in diameter on or next to the property, a grading and drainage review when a storm inlet is within 10 feet of a driveway curb cut, and an on-site sewage facility review on septic properties when a patio or other footprint is added.

Each suburb runs its own permit desk, and most ask for more than Austin does on flatwork:

• Georgetown: a permit to add to a driveway or change the approach, reviewed by the City Engineer, plus separate patio and flatwork permits with a setback inspection.
• Pflugerville: a permit for flatwork that needs a curb cut and a right-of-way application for work in the street.
• Leander: driveways and culverts are on the permit list, with a driveway packet that asks about culverts and inlets.
• Kyle: a written driveway and sidewalk standard and a right-of-way excavation permit from Public Works for replacing existing driveways.