Driveway Work We Handle in Sacramento
We handle the earthwork side of driveway projects — not the concrete pour. Sub-base prep, old slab removal, approach grading, and drainage are our scope. Your concrete contractor handles forming and pouring.
- Existing driveway removal — concrete, asphalt, or asphalt-over-concrete
- Sub-base grading and aggregate base installation for new driveway
- Approach grading — smooth transition from street to driveway elevation
- Drainage correction — grade away from garage, correct low spots
- Access road grading for rear-yard ADU parking
- Alley driveway approach grading — common in Land Park, Curtis Park, East Sacramento
- Gate widening prep — demo and regrade for wider vehicle access
Sacramento Permits for Driveway and Curb Work
Any change to a curb cut or driveway approach that connects to the public right-of-way in Sacramento requires an encroachment permit from the city. Removing or widening a driveway approach, adding a new access point, or work within the public sidewalk area all fall under this requirement.
- City of Sacramento encroachment permit required for curb cut changes
- Standard driveway widening or new approach: apply through Sacramento Public Works
- No permit required for driveway removal that doesn't touch curb, gutter, or public sidewalk
- Alley approaches may have different standards — confirm with Sacramento Public Works
- HOA approval may also be required in Natomas and other planned communities
Fixing Sacramento Driveway Failures — Why They Crack
Most Sacramento driveway failures trace to one of two causes: inadequate sub-base depth on expansive clay soils, or poor drainage that allows water to saturate the sub-base. Both are fixable at replacement — not after the pour.
- Clay loam expansion: Sacramento soils expand 3–5% seasonally — inadequate sub-base allows movement
- Minimum 4–6 inch Class II aggregate base over compacted native clay — more on problem soils
- Drainage slope: new driveway poured with positive slope away from garage and structure
- Rebar spacing: earthwork scope doesn't include rebar, but we flag under-spec sub-base to your concrete contractor
- Older Sacramento driveways often have no aggregate base at all — concrete poured directly on clay
Frequently asked questions
How much does driveway removal cost in Sacramento?
Standard residential driveway removal (400–700 sq ft) runs $1,500–$5,000 including concrete hauling. Thicker pours in older Sacramento neighborhoods — multiple concrete layers over clay — take longer to break and cost more. Clean concrete goes to Forward Recycling, not Kiefer Landfill, which reduces disposal fees.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Sacramento?
A permit is not typically required to replace a driveway in kind. However, if you're widening the approach, adding a new curb cut, or doing any work within the public right-of-way, the City of Sacramento requires an encroachment permit through Public Works. We flag scope that touches the right-of-way during the estimate.
Why do driveways crack so fast in Sacramento?
Sacramento's clay loam soils expand and contract with seasonal moisture — up to 3–5% volume change. Driveways poured without adequate aggregate sub-base move with the soil and crack within a few years. Proper sub-base (4–6 inch Class II aggregate base over compacted native material) is the fix — not a thicker slab.