Parking Lot and Driveway Grading
Professional grading for parking lots, driveways, and access roads across South Florida. We coordinate licensed contractors to achieve proper slopes for drainage, ADA compliance, and vehicle accessibility.
Proper grading is essential for parking lots and driveways to ensure water drains correctly, meet accessibility requirements, and provide safe vehicle access. Our network of licensed contractors has the expertise to deliver code-compliant grading for all types of paved surfaces.
Who This Service Is For
Parking lot and driveway grading services are essential for commercial property owners, retail developers, general contractors, custom home builders, and anyone preparing surfaces for paving or asphalt installation.
Whether you're developing a retail center, building a custom home driveway, or upgrading an existing parking lot, proper grading ensures water drains correctly, meets ADA accessibility requirements, and provides safe vehicle access. We coordinate contractors with the right equipment and expertise for your specific project needs.
Typical Project Sizes
Parking lot and driveway grading projects typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 for residential driveways, and $30,000 to $150,000+ for commercial parking lots depending on size, drainage requirements, ADA compliance needs, and site conditions.
What Parking Lot and Driveway Grading Includes
Drainage Slope Grading
Grading to achieve proper slopes (typically 1-2% minimum) to direct water away from structures and toward drainage inlets or swales. Proper drainage prevents water accumulation and extends pavement life.
ADA Compliance Grading
Grading for accessible parking spaces, access aisles, and pathways to meet ADA slope requirements (maximum 2% cross-slope, 5% maximum running slope). Ensures compliance with accessibility standards.
Crown and Cross-Slope Grading
Creating proper crown (center high point) and cross-slopes for parking lots and driveways to ensure water flows to drainage points. Crown grading prevents water from pooling in the center of paved areas.
Base Course Preparation
Grading and compaction of base course material to proper elevations and density for asphalt or concrete paving. Base course must be properly graded to support pavement loads.
Transition Grading
Smooth transitions between different elevations, such as from parking lot to building entrance, driveway to street, or between parking sections. Ensures smooth vehicle access and proper drainage flow.
Drainage Inlet Preparation
Grading around stormwater inlets and catch basins to ensure proper water flow into drainage systems. Inlets must be at the low points of graded areas to effectively collect runoff.
South Florida Parking Lot and Driveway Considerations
Grading for parking lots and driveways in South Florida requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:
- Stormwater Management: Parking lots must be graded to direct water to stormwater inlets or retention areas to meet South Florida Water Management District and county requirements. Proper grading prevents flooding and reduces stormwater runoff.
- ADA Compliance: Commercial parking lots must include accessible parking spaces graded to ADA standards (maximum 2% cross-slope). Access aisles and pathways must also meet slope requirements for wheelchair accessibility.
- High Water Table: South Florida's high water table affects grading depth and may require additional base course material or elevation adjustments. Proper drainage is critical to prevent water from undermining pavement.
- Flood Zone Requirements: Properties in flood zones may require parking lots and driveways to be graded to specific elevations above base flood elevation. This affects grading depth and may require additional fill material.
- Permit Requirements: Parking lot and driveway grading typically requires permits from county building departments. Commercial parking lots may require additional permits for stormwater management and ADA compliance verification.
- Drainage Design: Grading must work in conjunction with drainage systems including catch basins, swales, and retention areas. Proper grading ensures water flows to drainage points effectively.
The Parking Lot and Driveway Grading Process
Our coordinated approach ensures your parking lot or driveway meets all specifications and regulatory requirements:
- Site Assessment: We review your site plans, drainage design, and paving specifications to understand grading requirements. This includes identifying drainage points, ADA requirements, and any site constraints.
- Permit Coordination: We help identify required grading permits and coordinate with local building departments. Commercial parking lots may require additional permits for stormwater management and ADA compliance.
- Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (graders, compactors, laser-guided systems) and experience for precise parking lot and driveway grading.
- Rough Grading: Contractors perform initial earthmoving to achieve approximate elevations and slopes. This establishes the general grade and prepares the area for fine grading.
- Fine Grading: Precise grading work using laser-guided equipment to achieve exact elevations and slopes specified in engineering drawings. Fine grading creates proper crown, cross-slopes, and drainage flow.
- Base Course Installation: Installation and grading of base course material to proper elevations and compaction for paving support. Base course must be properly graded to support pavement loads.
- Final Inspection: We coordinate final grading inspections with building departments and paving contractors to ensure the graded surface meets all specifications and is ready for paving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What slope is required for parking lot drainage?
Parking lots typically require a minimum slope of 1-2% (1-2 feet of fall per 100 feet) to ensure proper drainage. Cross-slopes should be 1-2% to direct water to drainage inlets. Crown grading creates a center high point with water flowing to the sides. Proper slopes prevent water from pooling and extend pavement life.
Do parking lots need to be ADA compliant?
Yes, commercial parking lots must include accessible parking spaces graded to ADA standards. Accessible spaces must have a maximum 2% cross-slope, and access aisles must meet slope requirements for wheelchair accessibility. We ensure all grading meets ADA compliance requirements.
How much does driveway grading cost?
Driveway grading costs vary based on length, width, site conditions, and drainage requirements. Typical residential driveways range from $15,000 to $50,000, while commercial driveways can range from $30,000 to $100,000+ depending on scope. Factors affecting cost include site access, required earthwork, and drainage complexity.
Can I grade a parking lot without permits?
No, parking lot grading typically requires permits from county building departments. Commercial parking lots may require additional permits for stormwater management and ADA compliance. We help identify and coordinate all required permits to ensure code compliance.
What is crown grading for parking lots?
Crown grading creates a center high point (crown) in parking lots with water flowing to the sides toward drainage inlets. This prevents water from pooling in the center of the parking lot and ensures proper drainage. Crown grading is essential for large parking areas to maintain proper water flow.
Service Locations
We coordinate parking lot and driveway grading across all of South Florida. Select your location to learn more about grading services in your area: