Concrete is required for most driveways; gravel is not allowed

Concrete Contractors in Kansas City, KS

Driveways, sidewalks, steps, patios and slabs across Wyandotte County, from the old river neighborhoods to the western suburbs.

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Concrete Work Under Unified Government Rules

Kansas City, Kansas, has clear driveway rules, and concrete contractors in Kansas City, KS, work to them on every front-yard job. The Unified Government's Public Works permit page says concrete must be used for driveways in most cases and gravel is illegal. A driveway can be up to 25 feet wide at the street, must sit at least 3 feet from the property line, and hard surfaces can cover only 40 percent of the front or back yard.

The driveway permit

The UG's online driveway permit application has five sections and asks for a Dig Safe ticket number and a basic drawing showing the driveway's length, width and placement. After approval, Public Works contacts the applicant with payment instructions. We prepare the drawing, get the locate ticket and file the application as part of a driveway job.

Sidewalks are on the owner

According to a 2019 Community Voice report, the city does not provide sidewalk maintenance, repair or replacement, and the UG has run a cost-share program meant to cover about half the average cost of replacing a house's walk, with funding limited to the annual budget. Programs change, so check with UG Public Works on current terms before you hire anyone for a public walk.

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An old city with every age of house

Modern Kansas City, Kansas, was formed in 1886 when five towns merged, then added Argentine in 1910 and Rosedale in 1922. The city and Wyandotte County formed the Unified Government in 1997. It had 156,607 residents in 2020. Historic neighborhoods like Strawberry Hill, Rosedale, Argentine and the Westheight Manor District hold some of the oldest homes in the metro, while western areas near Village West are much newer. Older homes often need steps, walks and narrow driveways rebuilt; newer ones need patios and widenings.

Rivers, bluffs and floods

The city sits at Kaw Point, where the Kansas and Missouri rivers meet, and neighborhoods like Quindaro Bluffs and the old towns of Armstrong and Riverview were built on bluffs above the river. The Great Floods of 1951 and 1993 both hit the city. Bluff lots need slabs and steps that handle steep grades; low ground near the rivers needs a solid base and careful drainage.

Winter on concrete

Wikipedia lists normal snowfall of 13.4 inches at the Downtown Airport and 18.8 inches at KCI, and a record low of minus 23 degrees in December 1989. Salt and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on older, non-air-entrained concrete. Every exterior slab we pour uses an air-entrained mix and a proper cure.

What we do in Kansas City, KS

Driveways: concrete replacements and gravel-to-concrete conversions with the UG permit
Sidewalks and steps: public walks, front walks, stoops and steps
Patios: new slabs and replacements
Stamped concrete
Garage and shed slabs
Repair and replacement

Call (913) 355-6902 to set up a visit.

Kansas City, KS Rules and Facts

Driveway material. UG Public Works says concrete must be used in most cases and gravel driveways are illegal.
Driveway limits. Up to 25 feet wide at the street, 3 feet from the property line, with hard surfaces limited to 40 percent of the front or back yard.
Sidewalks. A 2019 report says the city does not provide sidewalk repair; a UG cost-share program has covered about half the average replacement cost.
Rivers and floods. The city sits at the Kansas-Missouri river confluence and was hit by the Great Floods of 1951 and 1993.

Our Services in Kansas City, KS

Kansas City Questions

Can I put in a gravel driveway in Kansas City, KS?

No. UG Public Works says concrete must be used in most cases and gravel is illegal. We convert gravel drives to concrete with the required permit.

How wide can my driveway be at the street?

The UG permit page allows up to 25 feet at the street, at least 3 feet from the property line, with hard surfaces covering no more than 40 percent of the front or back yard.

Who pays to fix the public sidewalk in front of my house?

The city does not provide sidewalk repair, and the UG has offered a cost-share program. Ask Public Works about current terms; we can then quote the work.

Can you rebuild steps on a hillside home in Strawberry Hill or Rosedale?

Yes. Older bluff-side homes often have long runs of steps. We rebuild them with even risers, landings where needed and a non-slip finish.

Do you need my Dig Safe ticket for the UG permit?

The UG driveway application asks for a Dig Safe ticket number, so we request the utility locate first and put the ticket number on the permit application ourselves.

Free Estimates in Kansas City, KS

Tell us about your Kansas City, KS project and we will schedule a free estimate.

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