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Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE
POLICY/CODE
INTERPRETATION #: CI-151
MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTIONS: RMC 4-4-080I6a Driveway Grades – Maximum Based Upon Land Use,
Single Family and Two (2) Family Uses
REFERENCE: N/A
SUBJECT: Slotted Drain Usage
BACKGROUND: RMC 4-4-080I6a Driveway Grades – Maximum Based Upon Land Use,
Single Family and Two (2) Family Uses provides regulations regarding how
driveways are constructed with respect to maximum grades. The intent
of this code section is to ensure that runoff does not enter the residence,
garage, or right-of-way. However, confusion is created by the phrase
“crossing any public sidewalk”. In select cases, a property is developed
which has not been improved with an adjacent public sidewalk. In these
cases the code can be interpreted to not require a slotted drain, as the
surface water would not be “crossing any public sidewalk”. Surface water
run-off from steep driveways follows the slope of the driveway and pools
once it reaches the low-point, either pooling at the entrance to the
garage, or pooling on the sidewalk or roadway surface, depending upon
the slope of the driveway. This can create flooding problems in the
garage, or pose safety hazards when the water pools on the sidewalk or
roadway surface.
JUSTIFICATION: The intent of the slotted drains at the downhill slope of a driveway is to
capture the surface water and discharge it to the public drainage system
regardless of whether or not it must first cross the public sidewalk. The
surface water design manual does not necessitate the presence of a
CI-151 Page 2 of 2
sidewalk when requiring a slotted drain. Due to this, there is a conflict
between the manual and the Renton Municipal Code which should be
resolved.
DECISION: Amend RMC 4-4-080I6a to eliminate the reference to a public sidewalk
and require a slotted drain based on driveway grade; as detailed below.
ADMINISTRATOR
APPROVAL: _______________________________________
C. E. “Chip” Vincent
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 8, 2019
APPEAL
PROCESS: To appeal this determination, a written appeal--accompanied by the
required filing fee--must be filed with the City's Hearing Examiner (1055
South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, 425-430-6515) no more than 14
days from the date of this decision. Your submittal should explain the
basis for the appeal. Section 4-8-110 of the Renton Municipal Code
provides further information on the appeal process.
DISCLAIMER: Excerpts from the Renton Municipal Code shown below may not contain the most
recently codified text. In such instances, code amendments implemented through this
Administrative Code Interpretation shall be construed to affect the current code and past/future
Administrative Code Interpretations not yet codified in the same manner as shown below.
Should any conflicts result the Administrator shall determine the effective code.
CODE
AMENDMENTS
NEEDED TO
IMPLEMENT
DETERMINATIONS:
6. Driveway Grades – Maximum Based Upon Land Use:
a. Single Family and Two (2) Family Uses: Maximum driveway slopes shall not exceed fifteen
percent (15%); provided, that driveways exceeding eight percent (8%) shall provide slotted
drains at the lower end with positive drainage discharge to restrict runoff from entering the
garage/residence or crossing any public sidewalk entering public or private streets, alleys,
sidewalks, and/or pedestrian pathways. To exceed fifteen percent (15%), a variance from the
Administrator is required.
STAFF CONTACT: Vanessa Dolbee, Current Planning Manager, x7314