Driveways and Access Roads in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County
A driveway job shapes an access route, sets a base and adds rock. In Kootenai County, settle the base depth and rock size, and who handles any approach permit where the driveway meets a public road.
Email us about your project: contact@cdaexcavation.com
What a driveway or access job involves
A driveway is the route from a public road to a building. On a Kootenai County lot that means shaping the route, setting a base and adding rock, and often adding drainage so water does not wear the surface away. It is usually done after clearing and alongside the pad.
The point where the driveway meets a public road is special. An approach is where the driveway joins the road, and someone has to handle any approach permit for it. Settling who does that before work starts keeps the job from stalling.
When people need driveway work
- A new building needs a way in.
- An existing track has become rutted, soft or hard to drive.
- A lot is being developed and needs an access route.
- Water runs across or down the driveway and wears it away.
- A new shop or garage needs a better route for deliveries.
- A driveway meets a public road and the approach has to be built or changed.
What the work usually looks like
- Plan the route. Choose the route, taking in slope, low spots and where the driveway meets the road.
- Locate. 811 notice comes before any digging.
- Clear and shape. Brush and trees are removed and the route is shaped to the planned width and grade.
- Set the base. A base layer is placed and compacted.
- Add rock. Rock is spread over the base and shaped to shed water.
- Handle water. Ditches or culverts are added where water has to cross or leave.
How to prepare
Settle these points before work starts:
- Mark where the driveway starts, ends and turns.
- Know where your property lines are.
- Decide how wide it needs to be and what will use it.
- Settle the base depth and rock size.
- Ask who handles any approach permit where the driveway meets a public road.
- Find out who is requesting 811 and get the ticket number.
- Get the price and what it includes in writing.
What affects the cost
Excavation is commonly priced by the hour for operator and machine, or as a set price for a defined scope. Driveway work may also be priced per ton of rock, so confirm the basis.
- Pricing basis. Per hour, per ton of rock or per job.
- Rock and hauling. Whether the price includes them.
- Length and width. More length and width mean more time and material.
- Base depth and rock size. Both change the material needed.
- Terrain. Slopes, rock and wet spots add work.
- Culverts and ditches. Water control adds material and time.
The approach to a public road
Where a driveway meets a public road, the approach is often the part that needs a permit. The rules come from the road's owner, which can be a city or the county, so the first call is to the city's building or planning office or to Kootenai County's Building Division. Settling this before the first cut matters because a driveway cannot be finished properly until its approach is sorted out.
Local rules and sources
Permits. Kootenai County says permits are required before site disturbance such as grading, excavating and storm drainage or run-off control, and building permits cover structures. Inside a city, start with the city's building or planning office. Outside city limits, start with Kootenai County's Building Division (208-446-1040).
811. Under Idaho Code 55-2205, the excavator marks the dig area in white paint and gives notice two to ten business days before digging. Once utilities mark their lines, the excavator is responsible for keeping the markings visible, and they stay valid for no more than four consecutive weeks. If digging hasn't started within three weeks of the notice, notice must be given again. Wait until every utility on the ticket has responded before you dig.
Dig Safe North Idaho 811 serves Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties (800-428-4950). 811 may route a call from near a county line to a different center; the direct line for Kootenai County is 800-428-4950.
Registration. Idaho requires contractors to register with the Idaho Contractors Board at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Idaho law counts excavating as construction (Idaho Code 54-5203). Some work is exempt, such as a single small project priced under $2,000 that is not part of a larger job (54-5205). Check the company on DOPL's public search before you agree to anything.
Reasons to trust this page
- Most rules on this page name their public source, such as an Idaho statute or a county office.
- Cost factors are explained in plain terms, and this site does not quote prices.
- The email address is shown at the top of every page, and the Privacy page says what a quote request collects.
Common questions
What does a driveway job include?
A driveway job shapes the route, sets and compacts a base and adds rock so water drains off the surface. Whether the price covers the rock and hauling it varies, so confirm that in writing. Culverts, clearing and any approach permit are separate items to settle before work starts.
Do I need a permit for a driveway in Kootenai County?
Possibly. Kootenai County says permits are required before site disturbance such as grading and excavating. Inside a city, start with the city's building or planning office. Outside city limits, start with the county's Building Division at 208-446-1040, and settle who handles any approach permit.
How is driveway work priced?
Driveway work is priced per hour, per ton of rock or per job. Excavation in general is commonly priced by the hour for operator and machine, or as a set price for a defined scope. Ask for the basis in writing and for what the price includes.
Who calls 811 for a driveway job?
In Idaho the excavator gives notice two to ten business days before digging, after marking the dig area in white paint. Settle who is requesting 811 and get the ticket number. Wait until every utility on the ticket has responded before you dig.
What base and rock does a driveway need?
That is a question to settle in writing before work starts. Ask what base depth and what size of rock will be used, and whether the price includes the rock and hauling it. A written answer lets you compare prices from different companies for the same driveway.
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