A lasting Phoenix-area driveway starts with excavation that deals with any caliche or soft soil, a compacted aggregate base, the right thickness for your vehicles, control joints at planned spacing and careful curing in the heat. In the City of Phoenix, the driveway section in the right-of-way is called for at six inches, and longer right-of-way sections need a permit.
Last updated
Most driveways in the Phoenix metro are concrete, and most of them face the same daily stresses: vehicle weight, intense sun on the surface, water from irrigation and the occasional monsoon downpour. Freeze-thaw damage, a big problem in colder cities, is rare here. What usually cracks or sinks a Valley driveway is the ground underneath and how water reaches it.
Common driveway projects
- Tearing out and replacing a cracked or settled driveway
- Widening a two-car driveway to fit a third vehicle
- RV, boat or trailer pads beside the garage, often behind an RV gate
- Replacing a worn apron where the driveway meets the street
What goes into a durable driveway
- Excavation. Old concrete is removed and the soil is dug to make room for a base. Where caliche sits near the surface, this can mean breaking through hard layers with heavier equipment.
- Subgrade. Soft spots are removed and the soil is compacted. Soil that has been soaked by irrigation or settled fill near the garage needs extra attention.
- Base. Many Valley contractors place and compact aggregate base course (often called ABC) for uniform support.
- Grade and drainage. The slab should shed water toward the street or a retention area, never toward the garage or house.
- Reinforcement and joints. Rebar, wire or fiber can help hold cracks tight, and control joints at planned spacing give shrinkage cracks a straight place to form.
- Curing. In the desert, the first days after the pour matter a lot. The slab should be kept moist or sealed with a curing compound right after finishing.
Thickness
Residential driveways are often poured about four inches thick on private property, with more thickness common where trucks, RVs or trailers will park. The City of Phoenix's driveway policy for single-family homes calls for six-inch concrete for the residential driveway section in the public right-of-way. Other Valley cities have their own standards, so ask the contractor which ones apply to your street.
The apron and the street
The section between your property line and the street is usually public right-of-way. In Phoenix, the city's single-family driveway policy says that on streets with roll or ribbon curb, a concrete driveway extending up to 10.5 feet into the right-of-way is treated as part of the on-site work and doesn't need a separate driveway permit, while longer sections do. Streets without curb follow different rules. Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Glendale and Peoria each set their own permit requirements, so check with your city before work starts, and ask the contractor who will pull any permit.
Pouring in Phoenix heat
From late spring through early fall, crews commonly start at first light so concrete is placed and finished before the hottest part of the day. Dampening the base, shading or fogging in wind, and starting cure right away all reduce surface cracking. Our guide to pouring concrete in Phoenix heat explains what to expect.
HOAs and widening
Much of the Valley's newer housing is in HOA communities, and many associations regulate driveway width, extensions, RV pads and finishes. Get written approval before you sign a contract.
Questions to ask
- How thick will the slab be on my lot and in the right-of-way?
- What base will you use, and how will you handle caliche or soft soil?
- Where will the control joints go, and how will you cure it in this weather?
- Which Arizona ROC license do you hold, and can you provide a certificate of insurance?
Thinking about replacement? Read what drives driveway cost in Phoenix, then request a driveway contractor and include photos of the existing driveway.
See how it works
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Phoenix?
It depends on your street. The City of Phoenix's single-family driveway policy says that on streets with roll or ribbon curb, a concrete driveway up to 10.5 feet into the right-of-way doesn't need a separate driveway permit, but longer sections do, and streets without curb require one. Other Valley cities set their own rules, so check with your city.
How long before I can drive on a new driveway?
Foot traffic is often fine after a day or so, but contractors commonly advise keeping cars off for about a week and heavier vehicles longer. Follow your contractor's guidance, since mix and weather affect timing.
Can my HOA stop me from widening my driveway?
Many Valley HOAs regulate driveway width, extensions, RV pads and finishes through their architectural guidelines. Submit plans and get written approval before you sign a contract or pull a city permit.
Sources and further reading
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Managing Caliche in the Home Yard (AZ1281)
- ASCE study: residential foundations and expansive clay in the Phoenix Valley
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
- Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1121 (contractor license exemptions)
- Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-103: residential license classifications
- City of Phoenix: Driveway Policy for Single Family Development
- City of Phoenix Street Transportation: special permits
- City of Scottsdale: Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance
- SRP: residential irrigation basics
- Arizona 811: call before you dig