Guide: Modify Road Approach Permit
WHAT IS A MODIFY ROAD APPROACH PERMIT?
A Modify Road Approach Permit is required when a property owner wants to change, widen, alter, or otherwise modify an existing paved road approach that already has an approved, permitted approach on file.
This permit ensures the modified access remains safe, properly constructed, and compliant with current Benton County standards.
This permit does not apply to new access points or unpermitted access points. It also does not apply to paving a gravel approach, this requires a Road Approach Permit.
WHEN YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR A MODIFY ROAD APPROACH PERMIT
Apply for this permit if:
- You have an existing, permitted, paved approach.
- You want to widen, reconfigure, or otherwise alter the geometry of the paved approach.
- You are not building anything but want to change your access.
- Your project does not create a new access point, just modifies the existing one.
Do not apply for this permit if:
- Your existing access does not have a valid, approved road approach permit on record.
- You want to pave a gravel approach; this is considered a new approach and requires a “Road Approach” permit.
- You are creating a new access to a county road.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE PERMIT:
A contractor or representative may prepare and submit the application in CSS, but the legal property owner must sign the Conditions Page (add link to file), which is a required document for application approval.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS DURING APPLICATION IN CSS
A complete application must include two required documents uploaded through the CSS portal.
- Site Plan (Required Upload in CSS)
A site plan must be submitted with your application. The plan must clearly show the property lines, the proposed or existing access point, the connecting county road, driveway dimensions, and any drainage features or culverts.
Your site plan will be reviewed by Public Works staff. If changes are needed, comments will be posted in the CSS portal once the review is complete. Please allow 10 business days for this review. Following the site plan instructions helps reduce review time and minimizes the need for corrections.
Click here for site plan instructions: Site Plan Instructions
- Conditions Page (Required Upload in CSS)
The Conditions Page must be signed by the legal property owner, even if a contractor or representative submits the application. The Conditions Page outlines the general requirements for constructing a road approach. Additional project‑specific conditions may also be added to the permit after review. By constructing the approach after the permit is issued, the property owner acknowledges and accepts all conditions on both the Conditions Page and the final permit.
Click here for the Conditions Page.
Additional Documents That May Be Required
In some situations, Public Works staff may request additional documents after the initial permit review. These documents are not always required at the time of application. However, if they are requested, they must be uploaded in the CSS portal before the permit can move forward. The application cannot be accepted as complete until these items are submitted.
Proof of Ownership
Proof of ownership may be required if the legal property owner is not clearly shown in County records. This commonly occurs when the property is owned by an LLC or was recently sold. Examples of acceptable ownership documents include property title documents or similar legal records.
If you know in advance that the property is owned by an LLC or is newly transferred, you may upload your proof of ownership during the application process in CSS by selecting the “Other” file type in the upload section.
Access Easement Documentation
If your access to a county road crosses private property or uses an access easement that is not immediately documented in County records, Public Works staff may require proof that you have the legal right to use that easement. Access easements shown on short plats usually do not require additional documentation. However, if your access route is not clearly recorded or available, you may be required to upload easement documentation in CSS before the permit is considered complete.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS
An application cannot be accepted if it is missing the required Site Plan or the signed Conditions Page. These must be uploaded through the CSS portal in order for the County to begin the review process. Incomplete applications will not enter the review queue until all required documents have been provided.
HOW THE PERMIT WORKS
- Preliminary Inspection (Required for All Modify Requests)
After you apply, Benton County Public Works will schedule a preliminary inspection to confirm:
- The approach is permitted and on record.
- The existing paved approach is in serviceable condition.
- The approach meets current county standards or can be brought up to standard through the proposed modification.
If the approach is deteriorated, unsafe, or out of compliance, the County Engineer may require repair, reconstruction, or a Road Approach Permit instead.
- Permit Issuance
If the approach is eligible for modification, Public Works will issue the permit with conditions.
Issuing the permit grants permission to construct/modify the approach(s) according to the conditions set on the permit, the approach is only considered conforming once all conditions are met and the final permit is executed by the County Engineer.
- Inspections
Inspections are required at several stages of the road approach construction process, and all inspections must be scheduled through the CSS portal. Once an inspection is requested in CSS, inspections will be completed within three working days of the request date. Failure to schedule required inspections will result in rejection and removal of work and may delay issuance of occupancy certificates.
- Temporary Construction Approaches
Most Modify Road Approach permits do not require a temporary construction approach because applicants are typically adjusting an existing permitted paved access rather than building a new one. Temporary construction approaches are usually only needed when a project involves constructing a new structure or when the work requires a separate access point for safety or operational reasons.
For Modify Road Approach permits, the existing permitted approach can typically serve as the temporary construction access if one is required. Only in uncommon situations, such as significant grading, major reconstruction, or conditions that make the existing approach unsafe to use during construction, would Public Works require a separate temporary construction approach. Any such requirement will be identified during permit review and included in the permit conditions.
- Pre‑Paving Inspection
Before paving or altering the pavement:
- The crushed surfacing top course (CSTC) must be in place.
- The geometry and dimensions of the alteration must be ready for inspection.
- The inspector will verify that the work follows County standards.
This inspection is required even if you are only widening or slightly reshaping the existing pavement. you must schedule a Pre‑Paving inspection in CSS. During this inspection, the County will verify that the approach matches the approved site plan and complies with all County standards shown on the permit.
- Final Inspection
Once paving or surface work is complete:
- The inspector will evaluate pavement thickness, quality, drainage features, and conformance with the approved plan.
- Any remaining deficiencies must be corrected before the permit is closed.
Approval of this inspection will allow the County to finalize your Road Approach Permit.