Our goal is to provide the maximum protection to Baltimore County's motoring public through the orderly control of traffic movement to and from the County's roadway system. This guide was prepared to assist you in obtaining a Residential Access Permit (PDF).
Anyone accessing the County road from a residential property is required to obtain a Residential Access Permit (PDF). The term "Access Permit" takes on the meaning of any modification or new installation of a residential entrance flowing onto a County road with or without the need to remove and replace concrete curb and gutter.
Baltimore County must approve the location, design geometrics, any drainage requirements, and paving cross section of a residential entrance on to a County road. The entrance designs discussed in the guide are based on Baltimore County Department of Public Works Supplemental Specifications for Construction of Roads, Bridges, Incidental Structures, Storm Drains, Sanitary Sewers, Water Mains and "Errata and Addenda and Supplemental Specifications" and "Special Provisions."
The permit procedure is as follows:
- Upon receiving an application for an "Access Permit," A Bureau representative will investigate the proposed driveway location to determine it's acceptability based on sight distance, overall safety, drainage and other factors.
- After this determination the Bureau will issue a permit to the homeowner for construction of the proposed entrance at the approved location.
- Forty-eight (48) hours prior to beginning construction, the Permitee must notify the Bureau of Highways of the intent to begin the proposed work. This notification is necessary to allow our office time to schedule an inspection.
- After all work is completed the Bureau must be informed that all construction has been completed within the County's right-of-way for final acceptance.
As stated earlier, a request by the homeowner for an "Access Permit" from the Bureau of Highways is required.
This request must include the following:
- Homeowner's name
- address
- daytime phone number
- A drawing or rough sketch of the proposed driveway's location including all dimensions in relationship to the County roadway as shown in the example attached to this package.
- Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check for $10.00 made payable to 'Baltimore County, Maryland' to cover Administrative and Inspection fees.
This information shall be submitted with the application found in the back of this package. Your application and utility letter must be sent in duplicate.
- The permittee shall relocate or have relocated all utilities, which are in conflict with the paving or in front of the curbs to be constructed under the permit. The permittee shall obtain, from the appropriate party or agency, all other permits or approvals necessary to conform to the requirements of the permit.
- Circular entrances (ingress and egress point connected by a common driveway) require a minimum frontage of 100 feet, but will be only authorized at the discretion of the County.
- Any existing sidewalks, curb, and gutter disturbed by construction shall be replaced in kind to the alignment and grade specified by authorized County personnel.
- Positive drainage shall be maintained. Any pipes to be used shall be specified by authorized County personnel including size, type and any signage needed to reduce hazards to the traveling public.
- If the roadway is on an embankment and the roadway is not provided with an existing traffic barrier along the roadway embankment, the driveway or embankment side slope shall be as flat as possible to reduce any hazard to the traveling public.
- No portion of a driveway shall be constructed within 20 ft of any intersection radius.
- No driveway shall be located where only partial ingress or egress of vehicles onto private property is possible. The intent is to prohibit the use of the sidewalk for parking vehicles for loading or unloading, thereby obstructing use of the sidewalk by pedestrians.
- All entrances shall be confined to the properties' frontage. Only under direction of the County shall any deviation be allowed.
- Abandoned driveways and depressed curbs shall be removed and replaced with
full-height curb and sidewalk on standard slope. Existing curb depression, which do not conform to the minimum standards of the latest Standard Plans shall be reconstructed to the latest requirements when constructing a new driveway slab. - Any new entrance onto a County road must meet minimum safe stopping sight distance based on the speed of the roadway being accessed. Issues surrounding the availability of adequate sight distance must be resolved with the County before an access permit is granted.
The following is to be used for "Open Section Roadway Installations" (these are roadways that are without curb and gutter).
- areas shall consist of 3 inches of County approved asphalt (2 inches of base, 1 inch of surface) on 6 inches of crusher run stone.
All construction and width requirements for asphalt type drives shall be taken from County plates R-34 and R-15, R-15A.
The following is to be used for "Closed Section Roadway" installations (these roadways have curb and gutter).
- All driveway aprons and adjoining sidewalk must be concrete (7) seven inches thick minimum of County approved concrete mix.
- Concrete curb and gutter must be removed to the nearest joint.
- County approved expansion joint material must be placed behind all curbing to separate the driveway from the curb.
- All construction and width requirements for concrete type drives shall be taken from County plates R-34, R-15, R-15A.
All applications and questions concerning residential entrances or this permit process may be addressed to:
Bureau of Highways
111 West Chesapeake Ave., room G-26
Towson, MD. 21204
email: highways@co.ba.md.us
Be sure to include a self addressed stamped envelope along with a check for $10 made out to Baltimore County Government to cover administrative and Inspection fees.
Illustrations of typical designs required by Baltimore County for a residential entrance will be sent to you along with your approved permit.
Residential Driveway Access Application (PDF)
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Revised June 13, 2005
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