GUIDELINES & FAQs FOR NEW DRIVEWAYS
As the neighborhood has aged, many of our exposed aggregate driveways have cracked, lifted, or sunk. When you are considering a driveway replacement, please submit a Request to the Architectural Board through HHHO.org/Owner Portal/Requests at least 2 weeks before beginning work. You are also responsible to get the appropriate city permits if necessary.
The three approved driveway materials are as follows:
Exposed Aggregate: This is the material used when Heritage Hills was developed in the early 1980s. If you replace your driveway with this material, you will need to manage slurry run-off during its installation which must be controlled to meet King County requirements. Make sure your contractor adds rebar to reinforce the concrete to help minimize cracking and lifting/sinking.
Broom-finished concrete: Some homeowners prefer to use broom-finished concrete. While no more durable than exposed aggregate, it can be a bit easier to maintain and sometimes a bit less expensive to install. To help offset the default lighter color of concrete material, we suggest you have a gray tint added to the material before installation. Make sure your contractor adds rebar to reinforce the concrete to help minimize cracking and lifting/sinking.
Pavers: A big feature of paver driveways is their durability. Unlike concrete or asphalt, which can crack and deteriorate over time, pavers are designed to withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions. They can flex under pressure, reducing the risk of cracking. Selecting pavers in the gray tone family allows them to blend into the neighborhood.
Black Asphalt is not an approved material. You may notice a few black asphalt driveways in the neighborhood that have been grandfathered (allowed) due to the age of installation. Any requests for asphalt installation will not be approved.
Q: My existing concrete driveway is cracked a lot. Why can’t I just put some patching on it rather than invest in a new driveway?
A: Concrete patching is a great short-term solution for small areas. If the need for patching extends across the entire driveway, that is an indicator that your driveway is coming to its end of life.
The three approved driveway materials are as follows:
Exposed Aggregate: This is the material used when Heritage Hills was developed in the early 1980s. If you replace your driveway with this material, you will need to manage slurry run-off during its installation which must be controlled to meet King County requirements. Make sure your contractor adds rebar to reinforce the concrete to help minimize cracking and lifting/sinking.
Broom-finished concrete: Some homeowners prefer to use broom-finished concrete. While no more durable than exposed aggregate, it can be a bit easier to maintain and sometimes a bit less expensive to install. To help offset the default lighter color of concrete material, we suggest you have a gray tint added to the material before installation. Make sure your contractor adds rebar to reinforce the concrete to help minimize cracking and lifting/sinking.
Pavers: A big feature of paver driveways is their durability. Unlike concrete or asphalt, which can crack and deteriorate over time, pavers are designed to withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions. They can flex under pressure, reducing the risk of cracking. Selecting pavers in the gray tone family allows them to blend into the neighborhood.
Black Asphalt is not an approved material. You may notice a few black asphalt driveways in the neighborhood that have been grandfathered (allowed) due to the age of installation. Any requests for asphalt installation will not be approved.
Q: My existing concrete driveway is cracked a lot. Why can’t I just put some patching on it rather than invest in a new driveway?
A: Concrete patching is a great short-term solution for small areas. If the need for patching extends across the entire driveway, that is an indicator that your driveway is coming to its end of life.
