Purpose. The purpose of this section is to set certain standards
for the design and location of new single-family residential driveways
that are over 50 feet in length in order to promote the public safety,
well-being, convenience and welfare of the Township of Hamilton and
to provide adequate access to properties for emergency service vehicles.
Driveways must meet the requirements of this article prior to the
first footing inspection so that ambulance, fire, and police vehicles
shall have access during construction.
The proposed driveway location and construction details shall be
included on the plot plan submitted in conjunction with the zoning
permit, as well as the access easement and maintenance agreement for
shared driveways.
When construction of the driveway includes installation of a culvert
or bridge, the applicant shall post a minimum of inspection escrow
of $1,500 with the Township to fund required inspections of the structure
by the Township Engineer.
The location and layout of the driveway, including width of cartway
and cleared areas, shall be accurately shown on the as-built survey
of the property submitted prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Minimum design standards. Except as provided for in Subsection C(14) (below), all driveways shall be constructed in accordance with the following minimum requirements and shall be maintained by the property owner at all times:
Shared driveways are encouraged for new developments, subject to
review and approval of the access easement and maintenance agreement
by the reviewing agency.
Driveways shall have a minimum cartway width of 12 feet for a single
home and 16 feet for a shared driveway. In addition, a two-foot-wide
strip on each side of the driveway shall be kept cleared of vegetation
or other obstructions which may hinder and limit driver view of vehicular
or pedestrian traffic on the driveway or the adjacent public right-of-way.
This clear width shall extend from one foot above the driveway surface
to a height of 14 feet and shall be properly maintained to preserve
the public safety. The driveway shall be surfaced with a minimum of
six inches of compacted gravel or quarry blend. A ten-foot-wide paved
apron consisting of six-inch-thick reinforced Class B 4,500 psi concrete
[as required for vehicular crossings of sidewalks under N.J.A.C. 5:21-4.18(a)]
is recommended at the street intersection.
Where access is provided to a street or road where the speed limit
is over 25 miles per hour, the driveway shall incorporate a turnaround
area to avoid the need for vehicles to back out into the street.
Driveways over 500 feet in length shall provide a midpoint passing
area where the compacted surface is expanded to a minimum width of
18 feet for a minimum distance of 40 feet.
All driveways shall be constructed at such an angle so as to assure
maximum visibility in all directions at the point of entry to the
street, taking into account physical obstructions which may be present
and which cannot be removed or modified. Any obstructions to vision
which can be removed or modified by the person seeking to construct
the driveway should be so removed or modified.
The house number shall be displayed near the driveway intersection
with the adjacent street as required in Section 505 of the International
Fire Code, 2009.
Any damage to the public street as a result of construction
of the proposed dwelling and driveway shall be the responsibility
of the property owner to repair the street to the satisfaction of
the Township. All repairs shall be completed prior to issuance of
a certificate of occupancy.
With the exception of Subsection C(7) (above), the Fire Official may grant relief from the standards of this section as necessary for driveways to be constructed in access easements that were either recorded or that were approved by a Township review agency prior to December 5, 2011.
Prior to the first footing inspection, driveways shall be inspected
by the Fire Official, or his designee, to verify that the requirements
of this section have been met and that emergency vehicles can access
the site during construction.
Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the Fire Official,
or his designee, shall verify that the driveway has been maintained
in suitable condition for emergency vehicle access.
Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the site contractor
shall provide the Fire Official with written certification that the
driveway has been constructed to the standards of this section.