A curb cut is an opening in the curb created to allow a driveway to enter from the street. The locations of curb cuts can influence traffic flow, and therefore must be designed to promote safe and efficient travel on the public right-of-way and to preserve the capacity of the roadway. All property owners must obtain a Curb Cut and Sidewalk Permit before constructing a driveway (even if the roadway does not have a concrete curb). Below are City of Lincoln guidelines and requirements to assist with the Curb Cut Permit application process.
Related: Application for Curb Closure
Summary of Requirements
Download Brochure with Checklist
(PDF, 972KB)
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Obtain approval of a Curb Cut and Sidewalk Permit
(PDF, 698KB)
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Give notice to LTU prior to work starting*
402-441-7558
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Subcontract traffic control to an ATSSA/IMSA certified company
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Inspections may occur after pour. Curb section and opening not meeting specifications will require removal and reconstruction at the contractor’s cost.
*Please be ready to provide project location, timeline, contact information, traffic control subcontractor, and permit number(s) related to the project.
Driveway Location Requirements
General Notes Single and Dual Driveways
- All requests are subject to review by Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) and any permit application may approve or denied.
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New Residential driveways shall not be allowed onto Freeways, Major and Minor Arterials, or Collectors without prior authorization by LTU.
Multifamily and Commercial use shall adhere to LTU Access Management Policy and Design Standards.
- Driveway(s) length shall be a minimum 20', measured from the property line to the garage
- Sight Triangle: Shall consist of the first 25' of the property in both directions going away from the lot corner. The triangular area bounded by the property lines and a diagonal line joining points on the property lines. LMC 14.44.010
Single Driveway
- Driveway approaches on paved streets shall be surfaced with minimum 3,500 psi compressive strength concrete from the street edge to the property line. The minimum thickness of driveway approaches for single or two-family dwellings is 5" from the street edge back 20' or to the property line, whichever is less. Any remaining portion within the public right-of-way shall be a minimum of 4" thick.
- Shall have no curb cut within 25' of the lot corner (length will increase 5' from a fire hydrant, stop sign, and/or 7' after a curb inlet). see: Curb Inlet Detail(PNG, 15KB)
(PNG, 25KB)
Dual Driveways (Single Family Only)
- Circular Driveways shall have no pavement within the first 13' of the front yard setback between the driveways LMC 14.96.010
- No curb cut within 5' from a fire hydrant, stop sign, and/or 7' after a curb inlet, measuring from the nearest side of the inlet top to the start of the curb cut. see: Curb Inlet Detail(PNG, 15KB)
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Mid-Block Lot: Shall have minimum 70' of frontage along city ROW. LMC 14.96.010
Secondary driveway shall lead to a garage.
- Corner Lot: Shall have no curb cut within 25' of the lot corner for second driveway; no curb cut within 13' of the lot corner for circular driveway (length will increase 5 from a fire hydrant, stop sign, and/or 7' after a curb inlet). see: Curb Inlet Detail(PNG, 15KB)
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Driveway Construction Options
Driveway Construction Options
Option 1:
- Reinforcement of concrete pavement must be drilled into Longitudinal joints along the same horizontal plane.
- Reinforcement is to be Epoxy Coated #5 bars 18" @ 4'-0" centers
- All concrete shall be L-3500 or LC-3500
- Curb and gutter must be poured independently with 1” Preformed Expansion Joint separation from the driveway apron
- Location of driveway openings must adhere to all notes on the Curb Cut Request Form
Property Corners and Easements
It is the responsibility of the owner or builder to validate lot lines and determine that proposed construction does not violate any easement rights of any person or entity, including the City of Lincoln, or violate any private covenant.
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Option 2:
- A diamond blade cutting saw must be used for all required curb sawing. The saw shall be capable of cutting existing or newly placed curb, leaving a smooth, accurate top face.
- The sawing must be made along the curb face in neat lines, and must start 1/2 inch above the existing gutter pan and cut at an angle of 3/4 inch per foot upwards and away from the gutter pan.
- Smooth edges and top faces must be accomplished on all sawed concrete edges by use of a diamond-grinding wheel for rounding all sawed concrete edges to a radius of 1/4 inch.
Clean Up
Slurry or residue from the saw cutting must be removed with no residue remaining upon completion of sawing operations. No residue may flow across shoulders or lanes occupied by traffic or into gutters or other drainage structures.
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Driveway Location Requirements
Traffic Control
Proper implementation of traffic control helps maintain a safe public right-of-way. Traffic control is required in order to occupy or expose excavations in the right-of-way.
All protective barriers must be maintained by the contractor until all work is completed or the hazard is eliminated.
Contractors must be on site at least one hour prior to lane closure setup, unless given prior approval by Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) Right-of-Way Services.
- Contractor must inspect work zone devices
- Initial closure setup is not allowed during peak hours of 7–8 a.m. and 3:30–6 p.m.
- Sidewalks on both sides of a street cannot be closed or restricted at the same time
For a full list of requirements, see the Lincoln Traffic Control Guidelines
Contacts
You may consult with LTU inspectors regarding preconstruction review, construction questions and inspections.
*Verbal/non-written discussion shall not relieve the permittee of any legal obligations under City ordinance/policy. Failure to immediately correct work not in compliance with permit work shall allow the city to revoke the driveway approach permit and prohibit the use of the driveway approach. Permittee must provide the City with an accepted plan for correction of failures within 24 hours of notice.
Related Lincoln Municipal Code (LMC): Chapter 14.75 Driveway Approaches and Curb