Permitting for Driveway - definition of Accessible Route? (Bellingham: lawyer, neighborhood)

[KodaKoda]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to update/repair a gravel driveway on my front lawn. I'm in Bellingham and the city permitting guidelines say "Sidewalks and driveways at grade and not part of an accessible route" do NOT require a permit. What I'm confused about is what is meant by accessible route.

The definition of "accessible route" seems to be referenced most commonly with ADA guidelines (e.g. wheelchair access). Am I way off?

The driveway DOES go over the city sidewalk, but the entry curb and driveway were already there. I'm just re-doing the gravel...

Anyone have thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[ny7v]

You should ask the city what that means. All you will get here are uninformed opinions.

[Thom52]

seems like you are just doing maintenance. I have never heard of permits being required for just doing maintenance on your property. (well, except tree removal, now that I think of it).

My non-lawyer advice is worth every penny it cost you though and would not even hold up in a court of TV.

Off the record.... If you are on good terms with your neighbors and are obviously just helping keep up the value of the neighborhood, it is rare that anyone would report you anyway. (I have seen the exception....)

[Ruth4Truth]

You're re-doing the gravel? Why would that require a permit? I thought you were paving over it, but you say you're just redoing the gravel on an existing gravel driveway?

I agree; that's just standard maintenance.