§ 3-1-14. Construction of parking lots and driveways.

(a)

It is found by city council that the regulation of the construction and maintenance of private driveways and parking lots which connect with city streets is a proper municipal function.

(b)

(1)

No person, firm or corporation shall hereafter construct, connect, build, establish or maintain any driveway across any portion of the public-right-of-way without first obtaining an encroachment permit from the appropriate governing authority. Applications for driveway permit, together with a copy of this section, shall be issued by the superintendent of streets and shall also be issued by the building department with the issuance of any application for a building permit. No such permit shall be issued for construction or establishment of any such driveway except in accordance with the provisions herein contained.

(2)

Application for encroachment permits from the city shall be acted upon within five (5) business days of receipt of the application. There shall be no fee for said permit.

(c)

Construction and maintenance of driveways, parking lots, and pipe shall be the responsibility of the property owner, and he shall bear all expense with respect thereto, except as provided herein.

(d)

Any construction within the meaning of this section shall be carried out so as to provide proper drainage and shall not, in any manner, interfere with or obstruct existing city drainage along any street.

(e)

In the event any construction, within the meaning of this section, requires the installation of pipe so as to provide proper drainage, or the property owner desires that pipe be installed, the price of the pipe, plus sales tax on the same, shall be borne by the said property owner and shall be payable in advance of installation. The city will provide the necessary equipment and labor for installation of pipe and back-filling of excavation for said pipe. Provided, however, if the property is to be connected to a state maintained street or road, the property owner shall contact the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) concerning driveway connections.

(f)

Specifications . All plans and specifications must conform to the following minimum requirements before permit for construction or reconstruction shall be approved:

(1)

If the driveway on the property of the owner is paved, the same must be paved to the existing street surface; the city shall in no event pave from the existing street surface to the property line of the owner.

(2)

Where a driveway of any kind of material is constructed across a sidewalk space, it shall conform to the sidewalk grade as established by the director of public works.

(3)

Where a driveway of any kind of material is constructed across an existing sidewalk or curb and gutter, said sidewalk or curb and gutter shall be removed and properly repaired by the owner.

(4)

The width of driveways shall not be less than 20 feet.

(5)

Where pipe is necessary, said pipe must be reinforced concrete pipe with a minimum of 15 inches inside diameter and shall be a minimum of 24 feet in length.

(g)

Construction, within the meaning of this section, shall be subject to inspection by the street department and if found to be improper, the owner shall correct the same within 90 days of mailing of written notice informing her/him of the infraction and the extent of repair necessary.

(Ord. of 10/26/81; Ord. No. 2009-05-11(A), 5/11/09)