Concrete Services in Kirkland
Kirkland's concrete work divides between the older lakefront neighborhoods - Juanita, Holmes Point, and the area around Kirkland Urban - and the newer subdivisions in Kingsgate, Totem Lake, and Finn Hill. Older lakeside streets have 1970s-vintage flatwork that shows settlement from ground movement and tree root intrusion. Newer east-Kirkland subdivisions tend to need new driveways, patios, and retaining walls on relatively stable ground.
Concrete topics for Kirkland homeowners
Popular Concrete Services in Kirkland
Lake-view lots and retaining walls
Lots along the Lake Washington shoreline and the slopes above it often need retaining walls and grading that handle runoff without destabilizing the hillside. City hazard mapping shows a high concentration of steep slopes along stream banks, in the Finn Hill neighborhood near Goat Hill, and around Watershed Park in Houghton. Areas with high liquefaction potential are less visible but lie mainly near Bridle Trails, along NE 85th Street, and along Slater Avenue south of Kingsgate.
Commercial work in Kirkland
The Kirkland Urban and Totem Lake commercial areas generate commercial slab and ADA pathway work as retail and office buildings go through renovation cycles. Work that touches sidewalks or curb cuts goes through a Public Works permit, covered below.
Permits in Kirkland
Kirkland takes permit applications online through MyBuildingPermit.com, with in-person help at the Development Services Center at City Hall. A Public Works permit is required for driveway replacement and for any work in the public right of way. Under Public Works Policy R-1, driveway paving that alters the driveway ramp and curb needs a Basic PUB permit with a right-of-way restoration security, and driveway concrete must reach at least 4,000 psi, 4 inches thick on private property and 6 inches thick in the right of way, over a 4-inch crushed rock base.
The city exempts sidewalks, decks, and driveways 30 inches or less above grade from a building permit, but requires one for rockeries and retaining walls over four feet and for soil removal or fill over 50 cubic yards or any change to the course of drainage. Those exemptions don't apply in flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline, or other critical areas. Geologically hazardous areas are regulated under Kirkland Zoning Code Chapter 85, and the Shoreline Master Program covers land within 200 feet of Lake Washington.
Kirkland concrete FAQs
Do I need a permit to replace a driveway in Kirkland?
Yes, from Public Works. Kirkland requires a Public Works permit for driveway replacement and for any work in the public right of way, even though driveways 30 inches or less above grade don't need a building permit. Under Policy R-1, a project that alters the driveway ramp and curb needs a Basic PUB permit and a right-of-way restoration security.
How thick does driveway concrete have to be in Kirkland?
Kirkland's Public Works Policy R-1 calls for concrete pavement 4 inches thick on private property and 6 inches thick in the right of way, placed on a 4-inch crushed rock base, with a minimum concrete strength of 4,000 psi.
What if my Kirkland lot is in a landslide hazard area?
Work within a geologically hazardous area requires a critical area permit under Kirkland Zoning Code Chapter 85. The first step is a geotechnical report from a Washington-licensed geotechnical engineer or engineering geologist, and the city has said peer review is always required for work in a high landslide hazard area. Kirkland was updating its critical area rules in 2025, so confirm the current requirements with the city.
Nearby service areas
We also pour, repair, and replace concrete in the communities around Kirkland:
Call (206) 552-9998 for a free on-site estimate anywhere in Kirkland.
