What Is a Driveway Apron?
A driveway apron is the section of paving between the street curb and the start of your private driveway. It spans the public sidewalk, if one exists, and the area between the curb and your property line. On Long Island, the apron is one of the most heavily used and abused parts of the driveway because it absorbs the stress of vehicles transitioning from the street grade to the driveway grade, endures municipal snowplows during winter, and is exposed to road salt, sand, and debris year-round. Despite this heavy wear, the apron is often overlooked when homeowners plan driveway work.
In many Long Island communities, including Levittown, Hicksville, Wantagh, and Seaford, the driveway apron technically sits on municipal right-of-way even though the homeowner is responsible for maintaining it. This creates a unique situation where you pay for the repairs but must follow the town or village regulations regarding materials and construction standards. Understanding these rules before starting work can save you from fines, forced removal, or wasted money.
Apron Materials: Which One Should You Choose?
Concrete Aprons
Concrete is the most common driveway apron material on Long Island and is required by many municipalities. A properly poured concrete apron is 4 to 6 inches thick, reinforced with wire mesh or rebar, and finished with a broom texture for traction. Concrete aprons are durable, handle heavy vehicle loads, and provide a clean transition from the curb. The main downside is that concrete can crack over time due to ground movement, freeze-thaw cycles, and the impact of snowplows. A quality concrete apron on Long Island should last 20 to 30 years before needing replacement.
Asphalt Aprons
Asphalt aprons are less common than concrete on Long Island, and some municipalities do not permit them in the right-of-way. Where allowed, asphalt aprons are installed at a minimum thickness of 3 inches of compacted hot mix asphalt over a 6-inch gravel base. Asphalt provides a seamless transition for driveways that are also asphalt, and it is somewhat more forgiving than concrete when it comes to minor ground settling. However, asphalt aprons are more vulnerable to snowplow damage and tend to deteriorate faster than concrete under the same conditions.
Paver Aprons
Interlocking concrete pavers can create a striking driveway apron, but their use in the right-of-way is regulated on Long Island. Some towns permit pavers in the apron area while others do not. When allowed, paver aprons must use vehicular-rated pavers (80mm or 3.15 inches thick) installed on a heavy-duty base of at least 10 to 12 inches of compacted aggregate. Paver aprons offer superior aesthetics and the ability to match the driveway design, but they require more robust installation and periodic joint sand maintenance to hold up under snowplow traffic.
Municipal Requirements on Long Island
Before touching your driveway apron, you need to understand your local municipality rules. On Long Island, the driveway apron typically falls within the town or village right-of-way, which means the municipality has authority over what materials and construction standards are used, even though you are paying for the work.
- The Town of Hempstead, which covers Levittown, Wantagh, and Seaford, generally requires concrete aprons in the right-of-way and issues permits for apron replacement.
- The Town of Oyster Bay, which includes Hicksville, has specific requirements for apron thickness, width, and slope that must be met for permit approval.
- Some villages within these towns have their own additional regulations that supersede town requirements.
- A curb cut permit may be required if you are widening the apron or creating a new driveway opening.
- Work in the right-of-way typically requires a performance bond or deposit that is refunded after the town inspects the completed work.
Failing to obtain the necessary permits can result in fines and, in some cases, an order to remove and redo the work at your expense. A reputable contractor will handle the permit process on your behalf or guide you through the requirements before starting the project.
Signs Your Apron Needs Replacement
- Large cracks that are wider than a quarter inch, especially those that run across the full width of the apron.
- Sections that have sunk or heaved, creating an uneven surface or a lip at the curb or sidewalk transition.
- Crumbling or spalling concrete where the surface is flaking away and exposing the aggregate below.
- Standing water on the apron after rain, indicating that the grade has shifted and water is no longer draining properly.
- Damage from snowplows that has torn up sections of the apron or displaced large chunks of material.
Cost of Driveway Apron Paving on Long Island
Driveway apron costs on Long Island depend on the material, the size of the apron, and whether demolition of the existing apron is needed. Most residential aprons are 10 to 20 feet wide and 10 to 18 feet deep, covering roughly 100 to 360 square feet. Here are typical cost ranges for 2026.
- Concrete apron replacement: $2,500 to $6,000, including demolition of the old apron, base preparation, forming, pouring, and finishing.
- Asphalt apron (where permitted): $1,800 to $4,000, including base preparation and compacted hot mix asphalt.
- Paver apron (where permitted): $4,000 to $9,000, reflecting the heavier base requirement and vehicular-rated paver material.
- Permit fees: $100 to $500 depending on the municipality, plus any required performance bonds.
Many homeowners combine apron replacement with a full driveway paving project, which can reduce the per-square-foot cost since equipment and crews are already on site. If your driveway is due for repaving, it is almost always more cost-effective to replace the apron at the same time rather than as a standalone project later.
Getting Your Apron Project Started
The first step is determining what your municipality allows and requires. Brothers Paving & Masonry is familiar with the permit requirements across Nassau County communities including Levittown, Hicksville, Wantagh, Seaford, and surrounding areas. We handle the permit process, demolish the existing apron, install a properly graded and compacted base, and pour or pave the new apron to meet all municipal specifications. Call (631) 374-9796 to schedule a free on-site evaluation and get a detailed estimate for your driveway apron project.