FREQUENTLY ASKED ACCESS QUESTIONS

ACCESS in excavating comes in many forms and descriptions. points of access can be temporary, semi permanent or permanent such as culverts, entrances, paths, roads, trails and tracks formed from aggregates like dirt, gravel, rock and wood. Within these types of unpaved access points maintenance over time can be required. RedPlate can help there too. 

A small DIRT ROAD has multiple meanings. It can be a private general access road, a perimeter track or a small link road on private property.  A dirt road is a type of unpaved road not paved with asphalt, concrete, brick, or stone; made from the native material of the land surface through which it passes, known to highway engineers as subgrade material.  

An ENTRANCE to land is a defined path, way, or right that allows lawful entry and exit from a parcel of land, often secured through a deeded access, an easement, or a right-of-way. Legal access can also be granted through local authority permission or established by a prior use of common ownership

Public Road Access: The most straightforward entrance is the ability to use a public road or street directly from a property. 

Deeded Access: A specific portion of land is legally granted to a property owner for the purpose of entering and exiting their own property. 

Easement: A legal right to use another person's property for a specific purpose, such as drainage, utility lines, or a shared driveway. 

Right-of-Way: Similar to an easement, this grants the right to pass over another's land, often for access or passage. 

Common Entrance: An entrance shared by multiple properties, often when individual access is not feasible due to physical constraints or spacing. 

Legal ENTRANCE guidelines in Maryland for Public Road Access are as follows::

Minimum width for residential entrances: 10 feet.

Maximum width for residential entrances: 20 feet, unless an exception is granted by the district engineer.

Minimum width for two-way commercial entrances: 25 feet.

Maximum width for two-way commercial entrances: 35 feet.

Minimum width for one-way entrances: 17 feet, or 14 feet for compact right-in/right-out entrances.

Maximum width for one-way entrances: 20 feet. 

To maintain positive drainage the Minimum pipe size is 18 inches or equivalent elliptical pipe. An end section or end walls, required by the resident maintenance engineer, must be installed at the ends of the pipe. All pipes must be State approved or certified. Locate drainage pipes as far as practicable from the edge of the traveled way to reduce the hazard to traffic. The minimum desirable distance is 30 feet. Where pipe headwalls or other physical obstructions are placed within the clear zone, protect them with guardrails or another appropriate barrier system.

Yes, In most counties a permit is required. Below are links to Maryland counties RedPlate services.

Washington County Entrance Permit

Washington County Grading Permit

Washington County Agricultural Structure

Montgomery County Permit

Frederick County Entrance Permit

Frederick County Grading Permit 

Minor grading permits are required for any earth disturbance exceeding 5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards.

Major grading permits are required for any earth disturbance exceeding 30,000 square feet or 500 cubic yards.

Carroll County Building Permit

If you plan to install a new entrance onto a County roadway, a permit is required and shall be installed per the Carroll County Department of Public Works 

Allegany County Permit Info

A TRAIL, also known as an access path is not for large vehicles and cars and is usually a small unpaved lane or a narrow dirt path 4 to 6 feet wide. Although most trails are for low-traffic, non-motorized usage, there are trails specifically used by dirt bikes, quad bikes, electric mountain bikes and other off-road powered vehicles. Some trails are dedicated only for non motorized vehicles and usually for walking and horseback riding.  As you can see we can really get into the weeds here so lets start clearing your path for your specific application.

A FIRE ROAD has multiple meanings. It can be a general access road, a perimeter track or a link road on a property. An official "fire path" is designated by a government agency that meets the requirements allowing emergency access for firefighters and other vehicles in the event of a bushfire.

A DRIVEWAY is the private paths leading to and from buildings or parking areas. 

Any driveway longer than 100 feet.  

The overall size driveway all depends on local codes and laws stating apron size and allowed driveway width. 

Yes, but only when the Ingress and Egress point connected by the common driveway have  a minimum frontage of 100 feet.

A TRACK in excavating and earthwork would be a specifically designed course for running fun laps or to race and compete against the clock or other competitors, often for limited off-road use.  Motocross is a perfect example.