Ulster County, NY Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)

New driveways require a curb cut or driveway permit from the road authority — Ulster County Department of Public Works (UCDPW) for county routes, NYS DOT Region 8 for state highways (9W, 28, 199, 213, 299, 209), or the local town highway superintendent for town roads under NY Highway Law §136. Minimum sight distances follow AASHTO standards — typically 250-400 ft at the posted speed limit. DOT Policy and Standards Manual requires 15-ft minimum driveway width, 4% maximum grade within 15 ft of pavement, and paved apron extending 20-30 ft from travel lane on state routes. Stormwater: driveways must not direct runoff onto public roads or neighboring properties (common law and NYS DEC SPDES). Shared driveways serving multiple lots require recorded easement (RPL §202) and, in some towns, Planning Board approval as a common driveway. NYC DEP Watershed Rules (18 NYCRR §18-39) may require stormwater review for driveways in Shandaken, Olive, Hardenburgh, and Denning. Rural towns (Rochester, Wawarsing, Denning) allow gravel driveways without paved aprons on town roads but require paved aprons at state or county routes. Driveway culverts must be sized to carry 25-year storm flows.