Apply for a Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit

Are you looking to do work in the City's right-of-way? Only contractors with a valid Grand Rapids Sidewalk Builder's license are authorized to work in the City right-of-way. If you are a Grand Rapids licensed sidewalk contractor you will need to obtain a sidewalk/drive approach permit to build, rebuild, remove, or repair any sidewalk, driveway approach, areaway, snow melt, retaining wall, curb, curb and gutter, or any other work that will be done in the City Right-of-Way. If you are not a contractor but need a licensed Sidewalk contractor to do work in the right-of-way you can find our 'Licensed Sidewalk Contractor' list in the Related Links section of this page.

Sidewalk/Drive Approach permits are valid for 60 days from date of issuance. Extensions may be granted under certain circumstances with prior approval.

If you are a contractor but not yet licensed with the City of Grand Rapids go to our "Apply for a New Sidewalk Builder's License" page.

1. Review the requirements

You must have a valid Sidewalk Builder's License issued by the City of Grand Rapids to obtain a Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit. If you're not currently licensed, visit our website here to find out more information on how to apply for your license. If you currently have a valid Sidewalk Builder's License, you may proceed with the following instructions.

2. Create a Citizen Access Account

We use a third party application called Citizen Access for our permits and licensing applications. If you want to apply online for your permit, you will need a Citizen Access account if you don't already have one. If you won't be applying online, please follow the instructions for applying "In Person". If you've never used Citizen Access and would like to create an account, we recommend that you review how to create an account before starting your application.

3. Make sure you have time to apply

This application will take about 20 minutes once you have gathered your information. You'll be able to save your application and resume later if you need more time.

4. Plan your project - other permits may also be required

If your project includes any of the following items listed below, other permits may also be required such as a driveway permit, an encroachment permit, or a LUDS permit. If you're unsure, call the Development Center at (616) 456-4100.

New driveway approach
New driveway
New curb cut
New curb and gutter
New snowmelt system
Retaining wall
Areaway

5. Have your credit/debit card ready

You'll need to enter your credit/debit card information to pay the permit fee. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit fees are as follows:

$175 - Commercial

$175 - Residential with 3+ units

$75 - Residential with 1-2 units - under 200 square feet of concrete work

$175 - Residential with 1-2 units - over 200 square feet of concrete work

6. Log into Citizen Access

Please click the button below to navigate to the Citizen Access login screen. If you do not have a Citizen Access account already, please see step 2 of this page for instructions on how to create an account.

Apply Online

7. Apply online

After logging in to your Citizen Access account, click the 'Permits' tab at the top of the page and click 'Create an Application' to open all of the permit application types available. If you do not see 'Sidewalk Applications' from the applications list, please contact the Sidewalk Department at sidewalk@grcity.us.

8. We'll review your application

We'll email you to confirm receipt of your application within 1-2 business day. Keep in mind that you might need to revise your application or attachments if we notice any missing or incorrect information. When your permit has been approved, we will send you your permit by email within 1-5 business days.

1. Review the requirements

You must have a valid Sidewalk Builder's License issued by the City of Grand Rapids to obtain a Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit. If you’re not currently licensed, visit our website here to find out more information on how to apply for your license. If you currently have a valid Sidewalk Builder's License, you may proceed with the following instructions.

2. Plan your project - other permits may also be required

If your project includes any of the following items listed below, other permits may also be required such as a driveway permit, an encroachment permit, or a LUDS permit. If you are unsure, call the Development Center at (616) 456-4100.

New driveway approach
New driveway
New curb cut
New curb and gutter
New snowmelt system
Retaining Wall
Areaway

3. Have your payment ready

For in person payments, we accept cash, check made out to City of Grand Rapids, or money order. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit fees are as follows:

$175 - Commercial

$175 - Residential with 3+ units

$75 - Residential with 1-2 units - under 200 square feet of concrete work

$175 - Residential with 1-2 units - over 200 square feet of concrete work

4. Complete the application

Download, print, and fill out the application.

Download the Application in English

Download the Application in Spanish

5. Bring your completed application to our office along with permit fee

Visit us to complete the permit application process. You can find our address in the Contact Us section of this page. After we receive your application and it has been processed in our system, an email will be sent to you within 1-2 business days to confirm your application has been entered. Keep in mind that you might need to revise your application or attachments if we notice any missing or incorrect information. When your permit has been approved, we will send you your permit by email within 1-5 business days.

Call us for instructions to apply

You can find our number in the Contact Us section of this page. We'll get you all the information you need to apply for a Sidewalk/ Drive Approach Permit. We don't offer applications over the phone, but we'll make sure you have everything you need to get your application started. NOTE: You must have a valid Grand Rapids Sidewalk Builder's License to apply for a Sidewalk/ Drive Approach Permit.

Review the requirements

You must have a valid Sidewalk Builder's License issued by the City of Grand Rapids to obtain a Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit. If you’re not currently licensed, please visit our website here to find out more information on how to apply for your license. If you currently have a valid Sidewalk Builder's License, you may proceed with the following instructions.

Step 2.Plan your project - other permits may also be required

If your project includes any of the following items listed below, other permits may also be required such as a driveway, an encroachment, or a LUDS permit. If you are unsure, please call the Development Center at (616) 456-4100.

New driveway approach
New driveway
New curb cut
New curb and gutter
New snowmelt system
Retaining wall
Areaway

Step 3.Have your payment ready

For in person payments, we accept cash, check made out to City of Grand Rapids, or money order. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Sidewalk/Drive Approach Permit fees are as follows:

$175 - Commercial

$175 - Residential with 3+ units

$75 - Residential with 1-2 units - under 200 square feet of concrete work

$175 - Residential with 1-2 units - over 200 square feet of concrete work

Step 4.Complete the application

Download, print, and fill out the application.

Download the Application in English

Download the Application in Spanish

5. Bring your completed application to our office along with permit fee

Visit us to complete the permit application process. You can find our address in the Contact Us section of this page. After we receive your application and it has a been processed in our system, an email will be sent to you within 1-2 business days to confirm your application has been entered. Keep in mind that you might need to revise your application or attachments if we notice any missing or incorrect information. When your permit has been approved, we will send you your permit by email within 1-5 business days.