Pavers in Bloomington, MN

Pavers in Bloomington often come up when the driveway is due. The city grew almost overnight after World War II, from 9,902 residents in 1950 to 50,498 in 1960 and 81,971 in 1970, and many of the drives poured in that boom have had more than half a century of freezes, plowing and salt. When the slab is cracked and patched beyond saving, a paver driveway is a durable replacement that can be lifted and reset in sections later.

Pavers are an approved surface here

Bloomington's engineering standards list brick or concrete pavers as a permitted surface for a residential driveway approach, provided the joints are no wider than one-quarter inch. Concrete, asphalt and stone are also allowed; gravel is not, and other materials need the City Engineer's approval. One catch: for any approach that is not concrete or asphalt, pavers included, the landowner must hold the city harmless for damage or loss of use and takes sole responsibility for reconstruction. Some owners weigh that and choose a concrete approach with pavers on the private drive behind it; we price both ways.

The approach permit

Work on the approach between your property line and the street needs a driveway approach permit before it starts, and a separate private driveway permit from the Planning Division may also apply. Contractors must post a bond, provide insurance and submit a plan; homeowners doing it themselves submit a plan and leave a deposit held until the work passes. Concrete in the right-of-way gets a form inspection with 24 hours' notice, and every permit ends with a final inspection after cleanup.

Rules that shape the layout

• One residential approach per parcel; a second needs at least 120 feet of frontage on one street, or a corner lot
• The approach can be no wider at the property line than the driveway it serves, with tapers of up to six feet at the street and a 30-foot maximum
• No part of it within 20 feet of a corner, except the curb return
• At least two feet from the side property line extended to the curb
• Slope no steeper than 10%, draining to the street and away from neighbors
• Not over a water curb stop, utility cleanout or a known utility easement

If your current drive sits closer than five feet to the side line, it can usually be repaired or rebuilt in place but not widened.

The base under a driveway

Cars weigh far more than foot traffic. Unilock's guidance calls for 8 to 12 inches of compacted base under driveways, double what a walkway needs, compacted in lifts of 3 to 4 inches. We dig past the finished edge by the depth of the base so the borders are supported, then lock the field with a solid edge restraint. That combination is what keeps a paver drive from spreading or rutting where tires turn.

Call before anyone digs

Bloomington's permit requires the holder to call Gopher State One Call at least two days before excavation so buried utilities are marked. You can reach it at 811. We place the request and wait for the marks before tear-out begins.

Valley, plain and hills

The city's ground varies: a sand plain in the northeast, low hills in the west, and the Minnesota River valley along the far south. Sandy soil drains quickly; heavier soil in other areas may call for a deeper base or added drainage. We look at what comes out of the excavation and adjust.

Talk to us about your drive

Call (952) 800-9409 or

Get a Free Estimate

. We measure the drive and approach, note setbacks and utilities, and give you a written quote that separates the private driveway from the right-of-way work.