Concrete Driveways in New York
A concrete driveway in New York has to survive long freezes, plows and road salt, and in much of the downstate area it also has to meet a town or village curb-cut rule where it reaches the street. Getting those two things right matters more than the finish.
Licensing depends on the county
New York State has no home improvement license, but New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issues one that covers driveways, patios and sidewalks, and Nassau County's Office of Consumer Affairs licenses contractors whose work includes paving and driveways. Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties license home improvement contractors too.
Outside those areas, ask your town or city whether it requires a local license or registration, and check the contractor's insurance either way.
Curb cuts and the road edge
On Long Island, the town highway department usually controls the curb strip. The Town of North Hempstead, for instance, requires a road opening permit for work in its right-of-way, which it defines as the roadway, curb strip and sidewalk. Villages and cities set their own rules, and county roads have their own permit offices, so ask which applies before the curb is cut.
Base, thickness and frost
Frost depth in New York is set in each municipality's code table, and it varies widely: 36 inches in Malverne on Long Island, 42 inches in Peekskill and 48 inches in the Town of Ithaca. A flat driveway slab doesn't go to that depth, but any footings, steps or walls attached to it do.
For the slab itself, a compacted stone base, a thickness suited to the vehicles using it and joints at regular spacing do most of the work against frost heave.
- Thickness and base depth in writing
- Removal and haul-away of the old surface
- Who files the town, village or county permit
- Where the deposit will be held
Concrete Driveways questions
Does a driveway contractor need a license in New York?
Not from the state. In New York City and in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties a home improvement license is required, and New York City's and Nassau's licenses both name driveway work.
Who issues a curb-cut permit on Long Island?
Usually the town, village or city that owns the road. In the Town of North Hempstead, for example, the Highway Department issues road opening permits for work in the roadway, curb strip and sidewalk.
How deep is the frost line in New York?
It depends on the municipality. Published code tables list 36 inches in Malverne, 42 inches in Peekskill and 48 inches in the Town of Ithaca. Your building department has the figure for your address.
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