New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 16 - TRANSPORTATION
Chapter 47 - STATE HIGHWAY ACCESS MANAGEMENT CODE
Subchapter 3 - DESIGNATION OF LIMITED ACCESS
Section 16:47-3.8 - Access point control dimensions for streets and driveways

Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code 16:47-3.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

(a) The requirements for residential driveways apply to single-family residential lots and combined residential and business lots. The requirements for all other driveways are referred to as non-residential.

(b) The abbreviations used in this subchapter and Figure 2 and their meanings are as follows:

L.L.--Lot Line
R.--Radius
CL.--Centerline of Highway
E.--Edge Clearance
E.L.L.--Extended Lot Line
E.T.W.--Edge of Traveled Way
MAX.--Maximum
MIN.--Minimum
R.O.W.--Right-of-Way
S.W.--Sidewalk
VAR.--Variable Dimension
P--Parking Offset
S.--Setback
Y.--Access Point Angle
W.--Access Point Width
C.O.--Curbline Opening

(c) All portions of the driveway shall be within the extended lot lines. The edge clearance (E) shall not be less than 12 feet (3.6 meters). This is measured from the extended lot line along the curbline to the beginning of the curbline opening.

(d) The curbline opening (C.O.) shall be as follows:

1. Residential: 12 feet (3.6 meters) to 30 feet (9.1 meters).

2. Non-residential: minimum 24 feet (7.2 meters), maximum desirable 50 feet (15.25 meters).

(e) Driveway width (W) shall be as follows:

1. Residential: Eight feet (2.4 meters) to 26 feet (7.9 meters).

2. Non-residential as follows:
i. One-way operation: Entrance or exit minimum 20 feet (6.1 meters), maximum desirable 34 feet (10.4 meters) and maximum allowable 40 feet (12.2 meters).

ii. Two-way operation: minimum 20 feet (6.1 meters), maximum allowable 46 feet (14 meters).

iii. Fire House: maximum allowable 100 feet (30.5 meters).

3. The driveway width construction may vary from the driveway width shown in the permit by up to five feet (1.5 meters), provided that the maximum width and other requirements of this subsection are not violated.

(f) Street width (W) shall be as follows:

1. Residential: 24 feet (7.2 meters) to 50 feet (15.25 meters).

2. Non-residential: 30 feet (9.1 meters) minimum.

(g) The access point angle (Y) shall be as follows:

1. One-way operation: 45 degrees minimum.

2. Two-way operation: As close to 90 degrees to the State highway as site conditions will permit with a minimum of 60 degrees.

(h) Radius (R) shall be as follows:

1. Residential: 15 feet (4.5 meters) maximum. Refer to Figure C-3, Appendix C.

2. Non-residential: Refer to Figures C-2 and C-4, Appendix C.

(i) The distance between driveways shall be 24 feet (7.2 meters) minimum as measured between curbline openings.

(j) The area between access points and extending from the curb or shoulder line to the right-of-way line shall be raised six inches (150 millimeters) above the surface of the adjacent drives and seeded, sodded, or otherwise improved.

(k) The corner clearance shall be measured between the end of the curb return of the intersecting street and the beginning of the curb return or beginning of the depressed curb for the driveway as illustrated in Appendix K incorporated herein by reference. The distance shall be as follows:

1. A minimum of 12 feet (3.6 meters) for single-family residential driveways.

2. A minimum of 50 feet (15.25 meters) for all driveways in the vicinity of unsignalized intersections, except for single-family residential driveways, on any one of the following:
i. All access level 6 roadways;

ii. All roadways with a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour (40 kph); or

iii. All locations with at least a 10 foot (three meter) shoulder.

3. A minimum of 100 feet (30.5 meters) for all driveways in the vicinity of signalized intersections and locations not covered in (k)1 and 2 above.

(l) Figure 1 below shows driveway profile controls. The use of a swale or pipe underdrain for proper drainage of uncurbed portions of highways is indicated. The bottom profile shows a driveway sloping upward to the sidewalk to assure proper drainage. Beyond the sidewalk the driveway may slope either upward or downward depending upon the topography at the site. Where curbs are used along the roadway and sidewalks are provided or contemplated, the grade of the driveway should usually fit the plane of the sidewalk. If the difference in elevation of the curbline and the sidewalk is such that this is not practical, then the sidewalk should be lowered to provide a suitable grade for the driveway. In such case, the surface of the sidewalk should be sloped gently from either side of the driveway. Vertical curves on driveways should be flat enough to prevent dragging of the vehicle undercarriage and to provide adequate sight distance.

1. Maximum grades: four percent within 25 feet (7.5 meters) of curbline for driveways; four percent within 50 feet (15.25 meters) of curbline for streets.

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(m) Figure 2 below is a diagrammatic sketch and layout to illustrate and suggest geometrical designs for driveways for major traffic generators. Figure 2 shows a driveway on a four-lane undivided highway. The preferred angle of the drive is 90 degrees. Lot frontage, the volume of traffic, and the design vehicle will be the determining factors governing the size radii used. The starting points of the radii must have the minimum edge clearance of 12 feet (3.6 meters). If there is an island in the driveway, the island must be offset by a minimum of three feet (0.9 meters) from the curbline. The minimum area of an island is 75 square feet (seven square meters).

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(n) Curb construction is indicated on the following sketches. On such designs, the Department requires the construction of nine inch (225 millimeter) by 18 inch (450 millimeter) white concrete vertical curb (See Figure 3). Curb depressions may be omitted when constructing driveways which have curbed radii and are always omitted when constructing street intersections. All islands must be paved with either concrete or bituminous concrete.

(o) The parking offset (P) shall be a minimum of 10 feet (three meters) beyond the curbline opening.

(p) When a driveway is constructed, the location may vary from the location shown in the permit by up to 10 feet (three meters), provided that the requirements in this subsection for edge clearance, corner clearance and distance between access points are met.

(q) The Department may approve one emergency access on a lot which has no other means to address emergency access. The Department will consider the merits of the requested emergency access on a case-by-case basis based on need, safety, and conformity to this Access Code. In no event shall such a driveway be approved unless all of the following conditions are met:

1. As part of the access application, the lot owner shall provide the Department with an official letter from the head of the emergency service unit which supports the need for an emergency access. The Department may also accept as supporting documentation general requirements such as fire codes;

2. Neither depressed curb nor curb returns shall be provided at the emergency access;

3. The sidewalk area shall not be paved. It shall be strengthened by gravel or pavers over which grass shall be grown. This requirement supersedes the provisions of N.J.A.C. 16:47-3.1 0(a). If there is existing or proposed sidewalk, the sidewalk across the emergency access shall be strengthened to support emergency vehicles; and

4. The emergency access shall have sufficient length in advance of any gate to allow the anticipated emergency vehicles to temporarily park in the driveway without interfering with highway traffic.

(r) Emergency access shall not be counted as an access point for the purposes of determining the number of access points under N.J.A.C. 16:47-3.5(c).

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