Services –Residential Private Approach
NEW PRIVATE ACCESS BY-LAW KEY POINTS
- Only LICENCED CONTRACTORS may construct, remove, relocate or modify a Private Access
- CRUSHED CONCRETE is APPROVED for use as a BASE COURSE MATERIAL for Private Accesses
- Reinforcing steel required for private approach
- Single Application for Residential Approval/Permit
- Permit expires after 24 months
- Private approach maximum width is 6.5 metres at property line
- Property owner and licenced contractor are responsible for compliance during construction
- Approval from City Forester if private access is within 2 metres of the outside of a tree trunk
- An Approval and Permit for Commercial Accesses
 |
 |
Private Approaches - Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a Permit required to construct a private approach, or to modify/reconstruct an existing approach?
- What information do I require to make an application?
- How can I obtain a Buildings Location Certificate?
- What if my application does not conform with the Private Approaches By-law?
- Who may construct an approach?
- Are there City Standards that must be followed when Constructing a private walk/approach?
- There is a manhole in the boulevard in the location where I wish to construct my private approach. How will this affect my approach?
- Who is responsible for repairing a Private Approach?
- I have an existing approach that is no longer required am I responsible for the cost of removing it?
- The street pavement is being renewed will I be required to pay for any necessary alterations to my private approach?
- The City’s Waterworks crews removed a part of my approach while carrying out a repair to the WATERMAIN will they be repairing the approach?
- My approach that was inspected by the City of Winnipeg has cracked. Is the City liable?
- Why are approach widths regulated?
Is a Permit required to construct a private approach, or to modify/reconstruct an existing approach?
Yes. In all cases a construction permit must be obtained. The permit assists in the control of approach construction in the right-of-way, and ensures that the approach is inspected for conformance with by-law regulations.
For Commercial private approaches and Residential private approaches on Regional Streets:
Public Services Branch of the Traffic Engineering
Division, 1155 Pacific Ave.
Permits:
Prior to commencing construction of any type of approach, a construction permit must be obtained at:
Customer Service Branch of the Public Works
Customer Services counter, 107-1155 Pacific Ave.
Construction work must commence within 2 years from the date the construction permit is issued.
What information do I require to make an application?
You should present a copy of a Surveyor’s Building Location Certificate showing the location and dimensions of the proposed approach. As an alternative, a well drawn site plan showing all property dimensions, locations of buildings and the location and dimensions of the proposed approach may be acceptable.
How can I obtain a Buildings Location Certificate?
Most home-owners already have this document - it usually comes with the purchase of a house. A Manitoba Land Surveyor (see Yellow Pages) can provide the certificate.
What if my application does not conform with the Private Approaches By-law?
If the approach does not conform with the By-law you will be issued a letter informing you why the application is non-conforming and advising you of the process to follow should you wish to make an appeal to the applicable Community Committee for residential approaches or to the Standing Police Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works for commercial approaches.
Who may construct an approach?
Only a Licensed Contractor may construct, remove, relocate or modify a private approach.
A list of Licensed Private Approach Contractors is
available from the Customer Services Branch,
107-1155 Pacific Avenue
Are there City Standards that must be followed when Constructing a private walk/approach?
Yes. Minimum standards are provided in the booklet “A Guide to Constructing Private Approaches & Walks”. These minimum standards in no way prevent you from constructing an approach that exceeds these standards.
"A Guide to Constructing Private Approaches & Walks" is
available from the Customer Services Branch,
107-1155 Pacific Avenue
Standard Construction Specifications
There is a manhole in the boulevard in the location where I wish to construct my private approach. How will this affect my approach?
The Water and Waste Department (311) will make any necessary grade adjustments to the manhole/catchbasin. If the approach is to be concrete it will be necessary for you to construct an isolation. Curb/gutter inlets that are in conflict with a private approach will also be adjusted or replaced.
Who is responsible for repairing a Private Approach?
The owner of the approach is responsible for the cost of reconstruction, reinstallation, repair, alteration or maintenance. Should a private approach deteriorate to an unsafe condition the City can give written notice to the owner ordering the repairs to be done at the owner’s cost.
I have an existing approach that is no longer required am I responsible for the cost of removing it?
Yes, the owner is responsible for the cost of removal of an existing private approach or part thereof.
The street pavement is being renewed will I be required to pay for any necessary alterations to my private approach?
No. Whenever the City widens, reconstructs or resurfaces a pavement and thereby necessitates alteration or reconstruction of a lawful private approach the City shall assume the costs unless the approach is not constructed to the same standard as the abutting street, in which case the City may assess the cost of improving the approach against the benefiting property.
The City’s Waterworks crews removed a part of my approach while carrying out a repair to the WATERMAIN will they be repairing the approach?
Yes. When the City, a utility company or others do work in a street that damages a lawful private approach the person responsible for the damage shall assume the cost of restoring the approach to its prior condition by replacing that portion of the approach that was damaged.
My approach that was inspected by the City of Winnipeg has cracked. Is the City liable?
The City inspects the approach for design, layout, and dimensions. The City was not a part of any agreements made between the owner and contractor or owner and supplier. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that minimum standards for both materials and construction practices are being met.
Why are approach widths regulated?
The Private Approaches By-law regulates the width of approaches to:
- provide an area for snow storage
- reduce the costs of maintaining underground utilities
- limit damage to grassed boulevards from corner cutting
- provide green space
- allow space for on street parking
- benefit aesthetics
Last update: 24.03.2011
* Top of Page
