Driveway Widening

Widening a driveway can affect parking, landscaping, and drainage on your property.

In the Town of Crossfield, driveway widening must comply with the Land Use Bylaw and may require review or approval depending on the scope of work.

Follow the steps below before starting your project.

Driveways are considered part of your on-site parking.

When widening a driveway, you must ensure:

• parking remains compliant with Land Use Bylaw requirements
• the driveway fits within the required front yard setback
• the layout does not create or expand parking that is not permitted in the front yard

In some residential areas:

• front driveways are expected
• in others (such as properties with rear lanes), front driveway access may be limited

Your proposal must align with how parking is intended to function on your property.

If you are unsure, please contact the Development & Planning department.

The Land Use Bylaw requires that all areas of your property not used for buildings or access must be landscaped.

When widening a driveway:

• the remaining yard must continue to be landscaped
• reducing landscaped area may affect compliance with the Land Use Bylaw
• driveway widening should not result in most of the front yard being covered by hard surface

Landscaping and grading must also be designed so that water is not directed onto adjacent properties.

Driveways must be designed so that:

• water drains within your property
• runoff does not flow onto neighbouring properties

If widening your driveway changes grading or surface materials, drainage must remain compliant.

All drainage must be managed so water stays on your site and does not impact neighbouring properties or public areas. 

This includes:

• grading that prevents water from flowing onto adjacent properties
• directing roof drainage onto your own property
• locating drainage outlets away from streets, reserves, and drainage facilities

Alternative drainage arrangements may be approved by the Town.

Contact the Town before starting work if your project affects:

• the driveway approach (where your driveway meets the road)
• curbs, sidewalks, or boulevards

Work within the public right-of-way requires Town review and approval.

A Development Permit may be required depending on your project.

Driveway widening is not clearly listed as exempt in the Land Use Bylaw, so approval may be needed if your project:

• changes parking layout
• reduces landscaping
• affects grading or drainage

If you are unsure, contact the Town before starting.

Starting work without confirming requirements may result in:

• delays
• required changes or removal
• enforcement action if the work does not comply with the Land Use Bylaw