07 - Driveway Bridges

A driveway bridge is a structure that spans an open space between the public right-of-way and a private structure. This permitting process originates in the Building and Safety Department and BOE only provides the approval for a portion of the bridge that is located in the public right-of-way.  If the driveway bridge is located in a Hillside Designated area, additional requirements may be required (see Hillside Designated Area Requirements).

REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must obtain a "B" Permit for approval of plans and structural calculations.  Plans and structural calculations for the encroaching portion of the bridge structure shall be approved by the Structural Engineering Division.

The encroaching portion of the bridge structure may be required to be designed separate from the remaining portion of the structure, so that it may be removed if requested by the City.

Once an application has been submitted, staff should confirm the following items have been received and/or processed through the proper departments.  

1. Proof of satisfactory insurance coverage
2. Application for an R-Permit
3. Copy of the deed
4. Fees paid – Tier 2 (unless District Office determines it should be a Tier 3) 
5. Waiver of Damages
6. Covenant and Maintenance Agreement, if applicable
7. Photographs of the encroachment area, optional
8. Site Plan
9. Stamped engineering plans (by a registered California engineer) reviewed and approved by the B Permit Group
   1. The driveway bridge shall be designed, such that, the encroaching portion of the bridge may be removed if the R-Permit is revoked.
10. Plans have been reviewed by a licensed Structural Engineer within BOE.  The structural engineer would only review the portion of the plans encroaching the public right-of-way, not the entire building.  Ingress and egress must be feasible if the encroaching structure is ever removed.
11. Written approval from Cultural Affairs for the encroaching portion of the building (aesthetically consistent with the look of the surrounding neighborhood/area).
12. Written approval from the Street Improvement Group confirming that a street widening project is not proposed in the near future.  BOE Staff can also look at the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program.
13. Prepare a Revocable Permit Requirements (RPR) letter.  This letter is prepared by BOE and sent to the applicant and contains all the conditions and requirements that must be fulfilled in order for the permit to be issued.