Concrete flat work in Bend
Driveways, garage aprons, patios, walkways, shop floors and sidewalks. Flat work is the concrete people see and use every day, so it has to be right.
What flat work covers
Flat work is horizontal concrete: anything poured flat on the ground rather than formed as a wall or footing. Driveways, garage aprons, patios, walkways, pads for equipment, shop and barn floors, and public sidewalks along the street all fall into this group.
Good flat work is mostly about what happens before the truck shows up. The ground has to be dug to the right depth, the base compacted, the grade set so water runs away from buildings, and the joints planned so the slab cracks where it is meant to. RCC does the excavation and prep in house, which keeps that part of the job under one roof.
Flat work rules in Bend
In the City of Bend, property owners are responsible for maintaining and fixing the sidewalk in front of their property. Work on a sidewalk, curb, gutter or driveway approach in the public right of way needs a city right-of-way permit. Our guide on who fixes a damaged sidewalk in Bend explains the process.
For new driveways and parking areas on residential lots, Bend's development code requires them to be paved, and garage doors in most residential zones must sit at least 20 feet from the front property line. See permit rules for driveways and slabs in Bend for details.
What to send for a bid
Call or email with as much of this as you have.
- The address and which surfaces you want poured or replaced
- Rough square footage of each area
- Photos showing the current surface, slope and any cracking
- Whether the work touches the sidewalk, curb or street
- Finish preferences, if you have them
Questions about flat work
What counts as concrete flat work?
Any concrete poured flat on the ground: driveways, garage aprons, patios, walkways, sidewalks, equipment pads and shop floors.
Who is responsible for a sidewalk in front of my house in Bend?
The property owner. The City of Bend says property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks and fixing damaged ones, and repairs need a right-of-way permit.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway approach in Bend?
Yes. Bend City Code 3.40.005 requires a city right-of-way permit to remove, alter or construct any curb, sidewalk, driveway approach or gutter.
Related guides
Flat work
Do you need a permit for a concrete driveway or slab in Bend?
Usually not a building permit for the slab itself: Oregon's residential code exempts concrete sidewalks, slabs, platforms and driveways.
Read the answerFlat workHow thick should a concrete driveway be, and does it need rebar?
For passenger vehicles, 4 inches is the usual minimum, with 5 to 6 inches for trucks and RVs; ACI 332 sets a 3.5 inch floor.
Read the answerFlat workWho is responsible for fixing a damaged sidewalk in Bend?
The property owner. The City of Bend says property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks and fixing damaged ones, under Bend Municipal Code Chapter 3.30.
Read the answerNeed a driveway, patio or slab?
Send the address and a few photos. We will come out and measure.
