Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

A. General. Dimensions, slopes, and details for all driveways and access easements connecting to a city street must comply with this chapter and the Anacortes engineering design standards.

B. Driveway Location.

1. Collector and Arterial Streets. Driveways providing direct access onto a collector or arterial street are prohibited when an alternative access is available. When alternative access is not available, a driveway or access may be permitted onto a collector or arterial when approved by the Public Works Director.

2. Frontage on Multiple Streets. Where a property has frontage on more than one street, driveways and accesses are limited to the lowest volume street, as determined by the Public Works Director.

3. Alleys. Where a property abuts an alley, driveways must access from the alley, except when either of the following conditions exist:

a. The property is in a residential zone and topography, lack of existing improvements, or other conditions makes alley access impracticable.

b. The property is located in a mixed-use, industrial, or R4 zone and anticipated traffic generation of the use in combination with other existing or future permitted uses along the block would exceed the functional capacity of the alley.

C. Driveway Spacing from a Street Intersection.

1. Driveways and access easements should be located at the greatest distance possible from an intersection of two streets and must meet the minimum spacing standards in the Anacortes engineering design standards.

2. When compliance with minimum spacing standards in the Anacortes engineering design standards would result in a property without a reasonable means of connection to the street system, a new driveway may be allowed within a smaller distance. The applicant may be required to provide a traffic impact analysis to support the request. Conditions of approval may be established, including, but not limited to:

a. Traffic Volume and Movements. Limits on the maximum vehicular usage of the connection or limits on turning movements.

b. Joint Use Connection. A legally enforceable joint use driveway easement when needed to maintain the operational efficiency and safety of the street.

c. Future Alternate Access. If and when future alternate means of access becomes available, the nonconforming connection must be removed.

D. Driveway Separation. Driveways must be separated by a minimum of 30 feet, except where no other option exists per the Public Works Director.

E. Number of Driveways. A maximum of one driveway per lot is allowed, except:

1. When additional driveways or accesses are needed due to the amount of traffic generated by the project and there is enough space to safely accommodate the additional driveway or access.

2. When permitted for applicable housing type standards in AMC 19.43.010, provided such driveways meet separation standards in subsection D of this section.

F. Driveway Cut Width. Driveway cuts are limited to the widths identified in Table 19.53.030.

Table 19.53.030

Driveway cut width.

Use Type

Minimum Width

Maximum Width

Residential

Lot width = 50 feet or greater

10 feet

20 feet

Lot width < 50 feet

10 feet

12 feet or

20 feet if shared with adjacent lot

Commercial and Industrial

20 feet

30 feet

(Ord. 3040 § 2 (Att. A), 2019)