Many concrete jobs in Lincoln Park and the Downriver cities need a permit from the city building department, especially driveways, approaches at the street, public sidewalks and slabs for buildings. Each city sets its own rules. We could not confirm Lincoln Park's concrete permit list from an official page, so we check it with the building department for every address before we order concrete.
Do I need a permit for a driveway or patio in Lincoln Park?
Often yes, and the City of Lincoln Park Building Department is the office that decides. Nearby cities show how common this is. Allen Park's fee schedule lists residential concrete permits for driveways, sidewalks, approaches and patios, and Dearborn requires permits for driveways, walks, patios, garage floors and porch steps before work starts. We confirm the Lincoln Park rule for your job and include the permit in our quote when one is needed.
Do I need a permit to widen my driveway?
Usually, yes. Widening changes how much of the lot is paved and may change the approach at the street, which sits in the public right-of-way. The city decides how wide a drive and an approach can be and how close to the side lot line it can come. On narrow Lincoln Park lots, the room between the house and the property line often limits how wide a drive can get.
Who owns the driveway apron: me or the city?
In most Michigan cities, the apron between the sidewalk and the street sits on city right-of-way, but the homeowner usually pays to build and repair it, and the city sets the rules for how it is built. Dearborn, for example, lets only licensed contractors pull permits for street approaches and requires them to be at least 6 inches thick. We could not confirm Lincoln Park's apron rule from an official page, so we ask the city for your address.
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
In many Michigan cities, the property owner must keep the public sidewalk beside the lot in repair, but each city's ordinance decides. Some cities run sidewalk programs or pay for damage from city trees. We could not confirm Lincoln Park's sidewalk rule from an official page. Call the city or let us ask for you before you replace a public walk.
The city sent a notice to fix my sidewalk. What now?
Read the notice for the deadline, which panels are marked and whether a permit is needed. Usually the marked squares have to be replaced or the trip edges fixed within a set time, or the city may do the work and bill the owner. Get a quote that covers exactly the panels listed. If you think a city tree caused the damage, ask the city whether that changes who pays.
Do I have to use the city's contractor, or can I hire my own?
In most cities you can hire your own contractor for sidewalk and approach work, as long as the work is permitted and built to city standards. Some cities require that contractor to be registered with the city or licensed by the state. Check the notice for any approved contractor list or deadline, and ask the city if it is not clear. Getting your own quote often gives you more control over the timing.
How close to the property line can I pour concrete?
Flat concrete like a driveway or patio can often go close to the line, but city zoning sets the limits, and some cities require a strip of lawn or a set distance. Whatever the rule, the slab must not drain onto the neighbor's lot. Forms and digging must stay on your side too. If you are not sure where the line is, find the survey stakes or get a survey before the pour.
Do I need a survey?
You need one when you are not sure where the line is and the concrete will run close to it. On narrow Lincoln Park lots, a driveway that is a few inches over the line can start a dispute that lasts for years. A surveyor can find or reset the corner markers. Check your closing papers first, since you may already have a survey from the purchase.
Do I need HOA approval?
Only if your property is in a homeowners association or a condo, which is uncommon in Lincoln Park's older blocks but more common in some newer developments Downriver. If there is an HOA, read its rules for driveway width, color and stamped finishes, and get approval in writing before work starts. City permits are still needed on top of HOA approval.
How much of my lot can I cover with concrete?
Each city's zoning code sets the limit. Dearborn, for example, limits residential concrete and pavers to 25 percent of the total lot, and a bigger area needs a variance from its Zoning Board of Appeals. We could not confirm Lincoln Park's lot coverage rule from an official page, so we check it before we quote a large patio or widened drive. Covering more of a small lot also sends more water to the drains and the neighbors.
When does a retaining wall need an engineer or a permit?
A taller wall, a wall that holds up a driveway, a building or a slope, or a wall near a property line often needs a permit, and the city may require an engineer's design. The building department sets the height at which that starts. Low garden edging walls usually do not need either. We check the rule with the city for your address and wall height before we quote.
How do I find underground utility lines before digging?
Contact MISS DIG 811, Michigan's free locate service, at least 3 business days before digging. MISS DIG says that applies to any project, whatever its size or depth, and a homeowner doing the work must make the request. Digging must start within 14 days and finish within 21 days of the ticket's start date. The marks show the approximate location of lines, not their depth, so dig by hand within 4 feet of the marks. When we do the job, we place the request.
I need a wheelchair ramp and a wider walkway. What are the rules?
A concrete ramp at a home usually needs a building permit, and the building code sets the slope, landings and handrails. A gentle slope takes a lot of length, which can be hard to fit on a narrow Lincoln Park lot, so the layout comes first. A wider walk to the door is easier to fit and helps with walkers and wheelchairs. There is no published HomeGuide figure for ramps, so we price them on site.
Our house is in a historic district or has old decorative concrete. Can we change it?
If the house is in a local historic district, changes you can see from the street may need approval before a permit. Dearborn's Ford Homes area is one example nearby. Most of Lincoln Park is not in a historic district, but some homes have old details worth keeping, like tinted walks or old steps. We can match a broom texture or a color as closely as new concrete allows.
Not sure what your job needs? Call (313) 889-7953 and we will check the permit for your address.