DRIVEWAY REGULATIONS TOWN OF DUBLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE ADOPTED JANUARY 7, 1999 SECTION I AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE Pursuant to the authority vested in the Dublin Planning Board by the legislative body of Dublin, and in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 674:35 and 236:13 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, as amended, the Dublin Planning Board adopts the following regulations governing all driveway construction and driveway access to town roads. State regulations apply to driveway access onto state roads. These regulations are designed to accomplish the purposes of protecting the health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the citizens. SECTION II GENERAL PROVISIONS Prior to the construction or change in use and/or intensity of any driveway, entrance, exit, or approach to any private, town or state road, and prior to obtaining any applicable building permits for the property, the landowner or authorized agent shall secure approval of such proposal in accordance with these regulations. SECTION III DEFINITIONS The definitions contained in the Dublin Subdivision Regulations shall apply, in addition to the following: Access: A way or means of approach to provide physical entrance to a property. Construction: For the purposes of this regulation, means not only the construction of a new driveway, but also any improvements to or alterations of an existing driveway. Driveway: A public or private roadway providing primary access from either a public or private road for vehicles to a dwelling, business, parking area, or other structure or facility that is currently used on a regular basis. This does not include an access that is primarily used for service or maintenance, such as fuel oil delivery. Page Drive-1 SECTION IV DESIGN STANDARDS A. No driveway shall be constructed within 50 feet of an intersecting road. B. For purposes of snow removal, general maintenance, and protection of abutters, no driveway shall be constructed Closer than 10 feet from abutting property lines. C. When two proposed driveways on the same side of the road are within 50 feet of each other, the Planning Board may require a common access to be used, for reasons of safety and topographical considerations. D. A minimum of a 150 foot all season safe sight distance in each direction is required. E. The driveway shall have a minimum width of 14 feet at the intersection of the road and for a distance of 14 feet from the road. In all cases the driveway shall be wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles. The driveway entrance may be flared out as its approaches the road. F. The driveway entrance shall drop 6 inches from the center of the road to a point at least 6 feet in back of the ditch line without a culvert; if a culvert is required, the drop shall be one-quarter inch per foot. G. If a culvert is required for proper drainage, the culvert shall be a minimum of 15" in diameter and 20' in length, and shall be new galvanized steel, concrete or HDPE. The culvert shall be long enough to maintain the driveway width dimensions and a stable fore slope. H. The culvert may be required to have a catch basin with a cover at the inlet end and a concrete or stone header at the outlet end. The culverts shall be installed by the landowner under the supervision and with the approval of the Road Agent. I. Driveways shall not interrupt the natural or ditch line flow of drainage water. Where shallow ditch lines or natural drainage courses exist, driveways may be swaled at a point beyond the shoulder to accommodate the flow of storm water. J. The provisions of Article XIX of the Dublin Zoning ordinance, "Regulation of Development on Steep Slopes" shall apply in any case where the driveway to be constructed has a slope of 10% or greater, or the land on which a driveway is to be constructed has a slope of 15% or greater. Page Drive-2 K. The drainage ditch shall be 6 inches below the outlet end of the culvert and drop at least one-quarter inch to the nearest point of drainage relief. L. Any driveway crossing a wetland or body of water shall have all permits required by the Wetlands Board. M. There shall be no more than one primary access to a single parcel of land unless a need for multiple access can be demonstrated. N. Driveways shall intersect roadways at an angle of 90 degrees. O. The grade of the driveway away from the roadway surface shall be constructed to slope away from the surface for a distance equivalent to the existing ditch line; water cannot go onto the road. This slope shall be a minimum of one-quarter inch per foot. P. Any bridges shall be constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices and as approved by the Planning Board. Q. No structures (including buildings), permanent or portable signs, lights, displays, fences, walls, etc. shall be permitted on, over, or under the town road right-of-way. R. Driveways providing access for multi-unit residential, commercial, or industrial uses shall be designed to conform with good engineering practice using the NHDOT manual, Administrative Rules for the Permitting of Driveways and Other Accesses to the State Highway System as a guide. S. Driveways intersecting paved town roads must have a paved apron 14 feet wide and 14 feet deep. T. Driveways over 100 feet in length must be surveyed for existing and proposed topography. SECTION V DRIVEWAYS TO BACKLOTS Driveways to backlots shall be subject to the following standards, in addition to any other applicable standards of the Dublin Subdivision Regulations. A. Unless a special showing is made that existing conditions prevent it, only one curb cut will be allowed for both the front and the back lot. B. All curb cuts on town streets or private roads are to be approved by the Road Agent. The location will be suitable, and the Use and maintenance of the driveway will not create a hazard or nuisance. Page Drive-3 C. The edge of the traveled way shall be set back at least 10 feet from any property lines. D. Appropriate buffering shall be provided to protect the privacy of neighbors and shield them from dust, noise, lighting, etc. E. There shall be a proper turnaround for emergency vehicles, subject to approval by the Dublin Fire Chief. SECTION VI PROCEDURES A. Prior to commencing work, the applicant will file an application with the Selectmen on a form provided by that office. B. Before the Selectmen act on the application, the Road Agent will inspect the site, and the Planning Board and Conservation Commission will review the application and approve or disapprove it. C. The contractor shall give 24 hour notice to the Road Agent before starting construction. D. The Road Agent will make a final inspection to determine that all work has been satisfactorily completed in conformance with these regulations prior to the issuance of a building permit. SECTION VII ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT A. These regulations shall be administered by the Dublin Board of Selectmen. The enforcement of these regulations is, as well, vested with the Selectmen. B. The standards of these regulations may be modified or waived when, in the opinion of the Selectmen, upon comment by the Planning Board and Road Agent, specific circumstances surrounding a proposal, or a condition of the land, indicate that strict adherence to the standards would create a hardship for the landowner, and such modification will not be in conflict with the purpose and intent of these regulations. C. Penalties: Any person who violates any of the provisions of this regulation shall be subject to fines and penalties as spelled out in RSA 676:17. D. These regulations may be amended by the Planning Board following a public hearing on the proposed change. Page Drive-4 SELECTMEN'S OFFICE Dublin, New Hampshire APPLICATION FOR DRIVEWAY ACCESS OR DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION Application # __________________ Map # ______ Lot # ______ Prior to the construction of any driveway, entrance, or other accessway in Dublin, this application shall be filed and approved. Standards for the construction of driveways are contained in both the Dublin Driveway Regulations and Subdivision Regulations, and are attached to this application as a checklist for conformance. These standards apply to all driveways in town, whether they are located on state or town roads. Name of Applicant/Lot Owner _________________________________________ Address _______________________________ Telephone ___________________ Name of Applicant, if different from owner __________________________ Contractor ____________________________ Telephone ___________________ Public Road to Driveway _____________________________________________ Estimated Length of Driveway _____________ Slope of Land ___________% Slope of Driveway ________% Will this driveway provide access to more than one living unit or use? ________________________________________ Are any state or federal approvals/permits required? If so, please attach. "I have read the Driveway Standards of the Town of Dublin and understand that failure to comply with these standards, or failure to complete construction of this driveway within one year of the date of approval of this application shall render the permit null and void." Signature of Applicant ____________________________ Date ____________ ATTACH A SKETCH SHOWING: [ ] location of existing and/or proposed driveway(s) on the lot frontage [ ] distances to other driveways or roads within 200 feet on both sides of the road [ ] width of existing and/or proposed driveway(s) [ ] indication of sight distance in each direction [ ] planned bridges, culverts, and/or drainage ditches NO APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY AN APPROPRIATE SKETCH. APPROVALS: * Road Agent ______________________________ Date ____________________ * Planning Board __________________________ Date ____________________ * Conservation Commission _________________ Date ____________________ * Selectmen _______________________________ Date ____________________ Page DRIVEWAY PERMIT CHECKLIST YES NO __ __ 1. No driveway shall be constructed within 50 feet of an intersecting road. __ __ 2. The driveway is not closer than 10 feet from abutting property lines. __ __ 3. When two proposed driveways on the same side of the road are within 50 feet of each other, the Planning Board may require a common access to be used, for reasons of safety and topographical considerations. __ __ 4. A minimum of a 150 foot all season safe sight distance in each direction is required. __ __ 5. The driveway shall have a minimum width of 14 feet at the intersection of the road and for a distance of 14 feet from the road. In all cases the driveway shall be wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles. The driveway entrance may be flared as its approaches the road. __ __ 6. The driveway entrance shall drop 6 inches from the center of the road to a point at least 6 feet in back of the ditch line with no culvert; if a culvert is required, the drop shall be one-quarter inch per foot. __ __ 7. If a culvert is required for proper drainage, the culvert shall be a minimum of 15" in diameter and 20' in length, and shall be new galvanized steel or concrete. The culvert shall be long enough to maintain the driveway width dimensions and a stable foreslope. __ __ 8. The culvert may be required to have a catch basin with a cover at the inlet end and a concrete or stone header at the outlet end. The culverts shall be installed by the landowner under the supervision and approval of the Road Agent. __ __ 9. Driveways shall not interrupt the natural or ditch line flow of drainage water. Where shallow ditch lines or natural drainage courses exist, driveways may be swaled at a point beyond the shoulder to accommodate the flow of storm water. __ __ 10. The provisions of Article XIX of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance, "Regulation of Development on Steep Slopes" shall apply in any case where the driveway to be constructed has a slope of 10% or greater, or the land on which a driveway is to be constructed has a slope of 15% or greater. Page DRIVEWAY PERMIT CHECKLIST (CONTINUED) __ __ 11. The drainage ditch shall be 6 inches below the cutlet end of the culvert and drop at least one-quarter inch to the foot to the nearest point of drainage relief. __ __ 12. Any driveway crossing a wetland or body of water shall have all permits required by the Wetlands Board. __ __ 13. There shall be no more than one access to a single parcel of land unless need for multiple access can be demonstrated. __ __ 14. Driveways shall intersect roadways at an angle of 90 degrees. __ __ 15. The grade of the driveway away from the road surface shall be constructed to slope away from the surface for a distance equivalent to the existing ditch line; water cannot go onto the road. This slope shall be a minimum of one-quarter inch per foot. __ __ 16. Any bridges shall be constructed in accordance with sound engineering practice and as approved by the Planning Board. __ __ 17. No structures (including buildings), permanent or portable signs, lights, displays, fences, walls, etc., shall be permitted on, over, or under the town road right-of-way. __ __ 18. Driveways providing access for multi-unit residential, commercial, or industrial uses shall be designed to conform with good engineering practice using the NHDOT manual, Administrative Rules for the Permitting of Driveways and Other Accesses to the State Highway System as a guide. __ __ 19. Driveways intersecting paved town roads must have a paved apron 14 feet wide and 14 feet deep. __ __ 20. Driveways over 100 feet in length must be surveyed for existing and proposed topography. COMMENTS: ______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Page