Saskatoon Driveway Widening Site Plan for Permit

Widening a driveway can create more convenient parking, improve access to a garage, and make it easier for vehicles to enter and leave a Saskatoon property. The project may look straightforward, but it can affect much more than the paved area inside the lot.

A driveway-widening proposal may involve the curb crossing, public sidewalk, boulevard, City-owned trees, underground utilities, front-yard landscaping, drainage, property lines, and vehicle access from the street. A clear Saskatoon driveway widening site plan for permit helps show exactly what exists today, what will change, and how the widened driveway will fit within the property and public frontage.

Does Driveway Widening Require a Permit in Saskatoon?

The private driveway surface itself generally does not require a standard building permit. However, a separate Curb, Sidewalk and Ditch Crossing Permit is required when the project installs or modifies vehicle access across public property.^[1]

Public property may include:

• the municipal curb
• a public sidewalk
• the boulevard between the sidewalk and street
• a roadside ditch
• the driveway crossing between the property and roadway

The City of Saskatoon states that property owners wishing to install or modify vehicle access from a City street must submit a curb and sidewalk crossing application.^[2]

This means that widening pavement entirely within private property and widening the actual street crossing are not necessarily the same project. A homeowner may be able to change part of the private driveway while still needing separate City approval before altering the curb, sidewalk, boulevard, or ditch crossing.

For a wider overview of local permit drawings, visit our guide to obtaining a site plan for a permit in Saskatoon, SK.

What Is a Driveway Crossing?

The driveway crossing is the section that connects a private driveway to the public road. Depending on the street, it may include:

• a depressed or modified curb
• a sidewalk crossing
• a boulevard crossing
• a ditch crossing
• curb-return wings on either side

The crossing width may differ from the total paved width inside the property. For example, a parking area might become wider near the house while the approved curb crossing remains narrower at the street.

A permit site plan should therefore label and dimension the two areas separately:

• Existing private driveway width
• Proposed private driveway width
• Existing curb-crossing width
• Proposed curb-crossing width

This distinction helps City staff determine whether the project changes only private landscaping and pavement or also affects municipal infrastructure.

Saskatoon’s Driveway Crossing Application

The City’s current application requires a metric site plan. A legible hand sketch may be accepted, but the drawing must clearly show the property, existing development, proposed crossing, parking area, trees, and street-frontage details.^[3]

The application is submitted with the site plan for review. The City’s current driveway-permit page lists a permit fee of $775 after approval. That fee includes review of the proposed crossing site plan and three inspection visits. Construction costs are separate and remain the applicant’s responsibility.^[1]

Fees and procedures can change, so applicants should confirm the current amount before submitting or hiring a contractor.

What Must the Driveway Site Plan Show?

Saskatoon’s application identifies several specific items that must appear on the site plan.^[3]

The required information includes:

• civic and legal address
• labelled property lines
• existing buildings and structures
• dimensions from buildings to the curb crossing
• existing and proposed driveway crossings
• existing and proposed on-site parking areas
• driveway and parking dimensions
• City-owned tree locations
• street, lane, and alley names
• sidewalks, boulevards, and curbs
• utility poles and boulevard services
• manholes, hydrants, lamp standards, and bus signs

A useful plan should also clearly distinguish existing conditions from proposed work. Readers should be able to understand the driveway change without comparing several confusing notes or trying to interpret an unscaled aerial image.

Our residential site plan checklist provides a broader list of property, access, drainage, utility, and landscaping details that may be relevant.

1. Property Lines and Street Frontage

Property lines are important because Saskatoon’s driveway guidelines relate the permitted driveway width to the property frontage or flankage.

The drawing should show:

• front property line
• rear property line
• both side property lines
• frontage width
• lot depth
• street name
• flanking street on a corner lot
• rear lane, if one exists

The driveway should be measured in relation to the actual property boundaries—not merely from a fence, hedge, sidewalk, or neighbouring driveway.

When the boundary location is uncertain, the widening is close to a lot line, or a shared crossing is being considered, a legal survey or Real Property Report may be needed. A drafted site plan does not replace a legal boundary survey when certified property information is required.

Our site plan versus survey guide explains the difference between these documents.

2. Existing and Proposed Driveway Width

The existing driveway and proposed widened area should be shown using different line types, shading, labels, or notes.

The plan should include:

• existing driveway width at the street
• existing driveway width near the house or garage
• width of the proposed additional pavement
• total proposed driveway width
• length of the widening
• proposed paving material, when relevant
• distance to each side property line

A drawing should not simply label the entire area “new driveway.” Showing the existing and proposed portions separately allows reviewers to see the extent of the actual change.

3. Minimum and Maximum Crossing Width

Saskatoon’s current driveway-crossing application lists the following general residential dimensions:^[3]

• Minimum residential crossing width: 3.0 metres
• Maximum residential crossing width: 6.1 metres

However, the same guidelines state that a driveway should not be constructed wider than one-third of the property frontage or flankage.

That means the 6.1-metre maximum does not automatically allow every homeowner to construct a 6.1-metre driveway. The lot-width calculation may result in a smaller permitted width.

For example:

• A 15.24-metre-wide lot has a one-third width of approximately 5.08 metres.
• An 18.3-metre-wide lot has a one-third width of approximately 6.1 metres.
• A 12-metre-wide lot has a one-third width of 4 metres.

The proposed driveway and crossing should be checked against all applicable requirements, with the most restrictive condition considered during design.

4. Distance From the Property Line

The City’s private driveway crossing guidelines state that a residential crossing should be constructed at least 1 metre from a property line to provide space for the curb return.^[3]

The site plan should dimension the crossing to both side property lines where relevant.

The private paved area inside the property may have different zoning or landscaping considerations. Therefore, the plan should not assume that the curb-crossing clearance automatically establishes where every part of the private driveway may be placed.

5. Distance Between Driveway Crossings

Where a property has two separate accesses, Saskatoon’s guidelines require at least 3 metres between driveway crossings.^[3]

The site plan should show:

• both crossing widths
• distance between the crossings
• curb-return wings
• parking or circulation area served by each crossing
• nearby crossings on adjacent properties where relevant

A second crossing is not automatically approved simply because there is physical room to construct it. The City may review traffic safety, street classification, trees, utilities, and the overall access arrangement.

6. Shared Driveway Crossings

A shared crossing between neighbouring properties may be considered when an agreement exists between both property owners.^[3]

A shared-access plan should clearly identify:

• the common property line
• total crossing width
• the portion serving each property
• curb returns
• existing and proposed pavement
• the registered or proposed shared-crossing agreement

Because legal rights and maintenance obligations may be involved, owners should obtain appropriate legal and survey advice before relying on a shared driveway arrangement.

Rear-Lane Access and Front-Yard Parking

Before preparing a front driveway proposal, determine whether the property has access to a rear lane.

Saskatoon’s current Zoning Bylaw No. 9990 maintains the general restriction that, where a residential site has rear-lane access, parking is not permitted in the front yard and vehicular access is not permitted from the front street.^[4]

This rule can make a proposed front-yard driveway widening unacceptable even if the dimensions appear to fit physically.

A site plan should therefore show:

• rear-lane location
• existing rear parking or garage access
• existing front driveway, if any
• proposed front access
• current zoning district
• any existing approvals or legal non-conforming conditions

The City’s March 2025 crossing form still contains a reference to former Zoning Bylaw No. 8770. Saskatoon’s current zoning bylaw is No. 9990, which took effect on January 3, 2025. Property owners should use the current zoning information and confirm the applicable rules with the City.^[5]

Access From the Street

The plan should make it clear how vehicles move between the road and the private parking area.

Useful details include:

• street name and road edge
• curb-crossing location
• driveway width
• garage-door location
• parking-space location
• vehicle approach
• gate location
• sidewalk crossing
• areas needed for turning or manoeuvring

A widened driveway should not create an awkward angle, blocked parking space, inaccessible garage, or layout that requires a vehicle to cross landscaping or pedestrian areas.

Our guide explaining what to include on a building-permit site plan covers access, parking, property lines, landscaping, drainage, and other common submission details.

Driveways Near Intersections

Driveway placement near an intersection is reviewed more carefully because turning vehicles can conflict with pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic.

Saskatoon’s crossing guidelines list minimum corner clearances that vary according to whether the intersection is signalized and whether the roadway is classified as a local, collector, or arterial street.^[3]

The site plan may need to show:

• nearest street intersection
• distance from the crossing to the corner
• road classification
• traffic signals or stop signs
• sidewalks and pedestrian crossings
• trees, signs, utility poles, or other visibility obstructions

A Traffic Impact Assessment may be requested when a new or modified crossing is proposed on a collector or arterial roadway.

Sidewalk, Boulevard, and Curb Details

The driveway site plan should extend beyond the private property line and show the public frontage.

This may include:

• curb and gutter
• sidewalk width
• boulevard width
• existing concrete control joints
• crossing width
• curb-return wings
• street edge
• ditch location, where applicable

Saskatoon’s guidelines state that sidewalk concrete must be removed to the nearest control joint. Partial sidewalk squares are not permitted.^[3]

The site plan should therefore show the existing sidewalk joints when they affect the proposed construction limits.

Rolled Curb and Gutter Streets

The City states that Transportation does not issue driveway-crossing permits for streets containing rolled curb and gutter areas.^[1]

Homeowners on these streets should contact the City before designing a widened access or committing to construction. The absence of a standard vertical curb does not mean the frontage can be altered without review.

City-Owned Trees

City-owned boulevard trees are a major consideration for driveway widening.

The crossing application requires the site plan to show all City-owned trees in relation to the proposed crossing. It also states that a proposed crossing within 3 metres of a City-owned tree will not be approved and that a City tree cannot be removed to create private access.^[3]

There is also a broader tree-protection requirement. Widening, constructing, or refinishing a driveway within 6 metres of a City tree may require a separate Tree Permit before work begins.^[6]

The site plan may need to show:

• tree trunk location
• distance from the tree to the proposed crossing
• tree-protection zone
• excavation limits
• construction access
• equipment and material-storage areas
• anti-compaction protection

The 3-metre crossing restriction and 6-metre Tree Permit area serve different purposes. Meeting one threshold does not automatically eliminate the other requirement.

Hydrants, Utility Poles, and Boulevard Services

The current application asks applicants to show street-frontage features that could interfere with construction or vehicle access.^[3]

These may include:

• fire hydrants
• utility poles
• lamp standards
• manholes
• bus stops and signs
• water-service valves
• electrical equipment
• communications boxes
• catch basins

A driveway should not be positioned without considering these features. Relocating public infrastructure can be difficult, expensive, or unavailable as an option.

Drainage and Driveway Grading

Widening a driveway increases the amount of hard surface on the property. Rain and melting snow that previously soaked into lawn or landscaping may instead flow across the pavement.

The City describes lot grading as the shaping of the land so surface runoff moves away from buildings toward a street or rear lane and eventually into the storm-sewer system.^[7]

A driveway site plan may need to show:

• existing surface drainage direction
• proposed drainage arrows
• slope away from the house
• garage-floor elevation
• sidewalk and curb elevations where known
• swales and low areas
• catch basins or drains
• areas where water enters the street or lane

The plan should not suggest that runoff will be directed toward the house foundation, neighbouring property, public sidewalk, or another area where it could cause ponding, icing, or erosion.

Is a 2% Driveway Slope Required?

The 2% note shown in the example image should not be treated as a universal Saskatoon driveway rule.

The City’s published residential grading guidance says surfaces must slope sufficiently to drain water away from foundation walls. For soft surfaces such as topsoil, sod, clay, crushed rock, or wood chips, the City recommends a minimum 5% positive slope within 3 metres of the foundation.^[8]

A hard-surface driveway may require different grades based on:

• garage-floor elevation
• curb and sidewalk elevations
• approved lot-grading plan
• existing drainage pattern
• driveway length
• site topography
• accessibility and vehicle clearance

Applicants should follow the approved lot-grading design and any property-specific directions from the City, drainage professional, surveyor, or engineer.

Check the Property’s Lot-Grading Plan

Saskatoon has several residential lot-grading styles. The applicable plan may show whether the property is designed to drain toward the front street, rear lane, or a combination of drainage routes.

A widened driveway should not block:

• a side-yard swale
• drainage between neighbouring properties
• the intended flow toward the street
• the intended flow toward the lane
• a catch basin or drainage channel

Where a neighbourhood lot-grading plan is available, it should be reviewed before finalizing the driveway layout.

Front-Yard Landscaping and Hard Surfaces

Driveway widening replaces part of the landscaped front yard with pavement, concrete, asphalt, or paving stones. The site plan should therefore show the overall front-yard layout rather than only the proposed parking surface.

Useful information includes:

• remaining lawn or landscaped area
• front walkway
• steps and entrances
• garden beds
• existing and proposed trees
• retaining walls
• driveway and parking surfaces
• pedestrian route from the sidewalk to the house

Some Saskatoon Land neighbourhoods also have architectural-control requirements for driveway and front-yard landscaping. These private or development-specific requirements can apply in addition to municipal permits and zoning.^[9]

For more information about showing hard surfaces, access, drainage, and landscaping, review our Saskatchewan site plan services guide.

Parking Layout

A wider driveway should create usable parking rather than simply increasing the amount of pavement.

The plan may show:

• number of proposed parking spaces
• parking-space dimensions
• garage access
• vehicle manoeuvring area
• pedestrian route to the house
• clearance from doors, stairs, and walkways
• snow-storage area

Parking spaces should not block required entrances, force vehicles onto landscaping, or create unsafe conflicts with people using the front walkway.

Corner Lots

A corner property has frontage on two streets. The driveway may therefore be affected by frontage or flankage calculations, street classifications, intersection clearance, and visibility considerations.

A corner-lot site plan should show:

• both street names
• front and flanking property lines
• nearest intersection
• traffic controls
• sidewalks and boulevards
• existing and proposed crossings
• distance from the crossing to the corner
• trees, hydrants, signs, and utility poles

Do not assume that driveway access can simply be moved to the second street. The City will consider roadway classification, sightlines, public infrastructure, and traffic safety.

Common Driveway Site Plan Mistakes

Applications can be delayed or refused when the site plan is missing important dimensions or shows a design that conflicts with the crossing guidelines.

Common mistakes include:

• showing only the private driveway and not the public crossing
• failing to distinguish existing and proposed pavement
• omitting property-line dimensions
• using a driveway wider than one-third of the frontage
• assuming every residential crossing can be 6.1 metres wide
• not showing the rear lane
• proposing front access where rear-lane access exists
• placing the crossing too close to a property line
• omitting City trees
• placing the crossing within 3 metres of a City tree
• not checking whether a Tree Permit is needed
• leaving sidewalks, boulevards, or control joints off the plan
• not showing drainage direction
• blocking a swale or drainage route
• using an unscaled aerial screenshot
• showing a generic slope that does not match the lot-grading plan

Our complete Canadian site plan requirements checklist can help identify missing property, access, drainage, and dimensional information before submission.

When Might You Need a Survey or Engineer?

A standard permit-focused site plan may be suitable for many driveway projects, but additional professional information may be needed when:

• the property boundaries are uncertain
• the crossing is close to a property line
• a shared crossing is proposed
• the site has a significant slope
• a retaining wall is required
• the driveway affects an established drainage route
• certified elevations are required
• utilities may need relocation
• the City requests engineered grading or drainage
• a legal access agreement is required

SitePlans.ca can prepare a clear site-layout drawing, but a drafted site plan does not replace a legal survey, engineering, utility locate, tree-protection plan, traffic assessment, or municipal approval when one of those services is required.

What Information Should You Provide?

To prepare a Saskatoon driveway-widening site plan, it is helpful to provide:

• property address
• legal description, if available
• existing survey or Real Property Report
• existing driveway and crossing widths
• proposed driveway and crossing widths
• lot frontage and depth
• photos of the driveway and street frontage
• a sketch showing the proposed widening
• sidewalk, boulevard, curb, and street details
• rear-lane information
• City tree locations
• hydrant, pole, sign, and utility locations
• existing drainage or lot-grading information
• City comments, if the application has already been reviewed

The more accurate the starting information is, the more clearly the finished plan can represent the actual proposal.

Get a Saskatoon Driveway Widening Site Plan

A good driveway site plan shows more than an extra strip of concrete or asphalt. It explains how the widened driveway relates to the property frontage, curb crossing, public sidewalk, boulevard, parking layout, house, garage, landscaping, trees, utilities, and drainage pattern.

SitePlans.ca prepares clear residential permit drawings for homeowners, contractors, driveway installers, designers, and property owners throughout Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

For additional guidance, visit our main site plan for permit service page.

Official Sources

1. City of Saskatoon – Curb, Sidewalk and Ditch Crossing Permits
2. City of Saskatoon – Traffic Permits
3. City of Saskatoon – Curb and Sidewalk Crossing Permit Application, March 2025
4. City of Saskatoon – Zoning Bylaw No. 9990
5. City of Saskatoon – Zoning and Land Use
6. City of Saskatoon – Tree Permits
7. City of Saskatoon – Lot Drainage
8. City of Saskatoon – Lot-Grading Requirements
9. City of Saskatoon – Driveway and Landscaping Requirements
10. City of Saskatoon – Building Permits

Permit fees, zoning provisions, crossing standards, drainage requirements, tree rules, and application procedures may change. Confirm the current requirements for the individual property with the City of Saskatoon before purchasing materials, altering public property, or beginning construction.