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Driveway widening, walkways and curb cuts in Ajax
Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Driveway widening, walkways and curb cuts in Ajax. Ajax distinguishes a private driveway from its apron on the town boulevard.
Key information
Ajax distinguishes a private driveway from its apron on the town boulevard. A compliant private driveway can be widened without an application, but maximum widths and setbacks still apply. Only the town or its hired contractor can cut the curb. Send a curb-cut concept drawing for review before arranging work.
On this page
Key facts and next steps
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the difference between a driveway and its apron? | The driveway is the portion on private property. The apron crosses the town-owned boulevard to the road. Rules for one do not automatically authorize changes to the other, even when both are paved together. |
| Can I apply to exceed those widths? | The source allows consideration of a minor variance for private driveway width. It explicitly says maximum apron-width variances will not be considered. An application is not approval to build the proposed width. |
| How wide may a driveway-adjacent walkway be? | The town permits an at-grade walkway up to 1.8 m wide on the side nearest the house's main entrance and up to 0.6 m on the other side. It may run beside the full driveway but must meet boulevard setbacks where it crosses town land. |
Process at a glance
- Can I widen a driveway without paying an application fee
The town permits private-property widening up to the applicable zoning maximum without an application or payment. All other requirements still apply. Speak to Operations before starting if the zone, existing access or boulevard clearance is unclear.
- How do I arrange a wider depressed curb
Submit the town's Curb Cut Application with a concept drawing showing the whole proposal. Operations reviews it, normally within ten business days, with longer review for incomplete files. Only the town or its hired contractor can make the cut.
- When does approved curb work start and who can help
The page gives a typical additional 10-15 business days before work begins after approval. Contact curbcut@ajax.ca or 905-683-2951, Operations and Environmental Services, 800 Salem Road North. Keep parked vehicles off sidewalks after widening.
Private driveway and boulevard limits
What is the difference between a driveway and its apron?
The driveway is the portion on private property. The apron crosses the town-owned boulevard to the road. Rules for one do not automatically authorize changes to the other, even when both are paved together.
Can I widen a driveway without paying an application fee?
The town permits private-property widening up to the applicable zoning maximum without an application or payment. All other requirements still apply. Speak to Operations before starting if the zone, existing access or boulevard clearance is unclear.
What are the maximum driveway widths?
The source gives R1-A 7.8 m, R1-B 6.1 m, R1-C/R1-D 5.6 m, R1-E/R1-F/R2-A 5.2 m and R2-B/R3 3 m. Country Residential uses yard-area limits instead. The full comparison below preserves each zone and the CR condition.
Walkways and clearance requirements
Can I apply to exceed those widths?
The source allows consideration of a minor variance for private driveway width. It explicitly says maximum apron-width variances will not be considered. An application is not approval to build the proposed width.
What clearances apply on the boulevard?
Keep one metre from a municipal tree under 20 cm diameter at breast height, or two metres for a tree at least 20 cm. Keep one metre from utility equipment and stop/yield signs, one metre from a concrete transit pad or three metres from a stop without a pad, and three metres from a hydrant.
Can a property have two driveway entrances?
Residential properties normally have one driveway access. A Country Residential property may have two only if all applicable requirements are met. An extra paved walkway is not permission for a second vehicle entrance.
Curb-cut application and work
How wide may a driveway-adjacent walkway be?
The town permits an at-grade walkway up to 1.8 m wide on the side nearest the house's main entrance and up to 0.6 m on the other side. It may run beside the full driveway but must meet boulevard setbacks where it crosses town land.
What other walkway conditions are stated?
On the boulevard, the walkway must use interlocking pavers, concrete or asphalt, have no raised curbs or other raised features and meet the source's excavation condition. On private land, a connection to another walkway or at-grade hard landscaping cannot exceed 1.5 m wide.
How do I arrange a wider depressed curb?
Submit the town's Curb Cut Application with a concept drawing showing the whole proposal. Operations reviews it, normally within ten business days, with longer review for incomplete files. Only the town or its hired contractor can make the cut.
When does approved curb work start and who can help?
The page gives a typical additional 10-15 business days before work begins after approval. Contact curbcut@ajax.ca or 905-683-2951, Operations and Environmental Services, 800 Salem Road North. Keep parked vehicles off sidewalks after widening.
Complete published driveway-width table
| Zone | Maximum private driveway width |
|---|---|
| CR | No fixed width; driveway/parking area at most 30% of front yard or 10% of combined rear and side yards |
| R1-A | 7.8 m |
| R1-B | 6.1 m |
| R1-C | 5.6 m |
| R1-D | 5.6 m |
| R1-E | 5.2 m |
| R1-F | 5.2 m |
| R2-A | 5.2 m |
| R2-B | 3 m |
| R3 | 3 m |
Sources: A Resident Guide