We pour concrete in Clawson, MI for driveways, front stoops, garage slabs and patios, just southwest of Troy across 14 Mile Road. Clawson requires a Zoning Permit for concrete work without footings, including driveways, patios, walkways and porches less than 30 inches above grade, with a dimensioned drawing of the lot and project. Work in or across the public right-of-way needs an additional DPW permit, and garages over 200 square feet need a building permit covering the slab. We prepare the drawings and permits. Call (248) 453-1088.
Clawson homes and lots
Clawson is a small city with a walkable downtown at 14 Mile and Main. Most homes are brick bungalows and ranches from the mid-20th century on compact lots, with single-car driveways and detached garages near the back of the lot. Concrete projects here are smaller in square footage but often tight on access: a narrow drive between houses, a garage near the alley, and a front stoop a few feet from the public sidewalk.
Clawson permits
The city's guide to permits explains the rules for flatwork:
- Concrete without footings, such as driveways, patios, walkways and porches under 30 inches above grade, needs a Zoning Permit.
- The application includes a dimensioned drawing showing lot dimensions, project size and distances to property lines, easements and buildings. An aerial image or survey can be used as the base.
- Work in or crossing the public right-of-way needs a separate permit from Clawson DPW and Engineering.
- Garages and sheds over 200 square feet need a building permit, which covers the concrete slab and footings.
Garage floors and slabs in Clawson
Detached garages behind Clawson homes often have thin original slabs that have cracked, heaved at the door or sunk in the middle. Replacing the slab and apron together gives a clean transition to the driveway. If the garage is over 200 square feet, the building permit covers the work. Read more about garage floors and slabs in Clawson and nearby.
Front stoops and steps
Many Clawson stoops are short, two- or three-step concrete entries that have flaked from salt or pulled away from the house. We rebuild them with even risers, a level landing and air-entrained concrete. Porches under 30 inches above grade fall under the zoning permit. See concrete steps and porches for details.
Single-car driveways
Replacing a single-car drive beside the house is a common Clawson job, often with the apron and approach. We plan for limited access by breaking out in sections and protecting the house and neighbor's side. If the approach is included, the DPW permit covers it. More about concrete driveways.
Places we work around Clawson
Many Clawson jobs are a short walk from downtown at 14 Mile and Main, near the Blair Memorial Library and the Clawson Historical Museum. The neighborhoods off Crooks, Rochester Road and Maple near Clawson City Park have the classic brick bungalow layout that shapes how we plan access and pours.
Downtown Clawson and older homes
Homes close to downtown Clawson are among the oldest in the city, and many have original concrete that has been patched repeatedly. Front walks run straight from the public sidewalk to a short stoop, and driveways often share a narrow strip between houses. We plan the work so neighbors keep access, protect shared fences and coordinate with you on parking during the job. Small details, like matching the stoop height to the door threshold, make a big difference on these homes.
Drawings for the zoning permit
Clawson's zoning permit needs a dimensioned drawing, but it does not have to be an expensive survey. The city accepts a drawing based on an aerial image or an existing survey, as long as it shows lot dimensions, the project size and distances to property lines, easements and buildings. We prepare that drawing as part of the estimate process, so the application is ready when you are.
Patios on small Clawson lots
Backyards in Clawson are compact, so patios need careful placement around garages, fences and utility lines. A well-placed 12 by 14 foot patio can make a small yard feel much larger. We plan the slope away from the house and garage and keep the patio clear of easements shown on the drawing.
We also look at where the patio meets the garage or a fence line, since snow piles there in winter and meltwater needs a way out. A small gap or a gentle swale often solves it.
Nearby cities
Clawson borders Royal Oak, where sidewalk program notices and bungalow steps are the norm. See concrete work in Royal Oak or browse all service areas.
Small jobs, done properly
Clawson projects are often smaller than suburban driveway jobs, but they get the same base preparation, air-entrained mix and joint layout. Combining a stoop, a walk and a garage apron into one visit makes the trip efficient and keeps the permit paperwork in one package, so tell us everything on your list during the estimate.
Clawson's downtown events and weekend traffic can affect deliveries near 14 Mile and Main, so we plan pour days around the calendar when we can.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a patio or driveway in Clawson?
Yes. Clawson requires a Zoning Permit for concrete without footings, including driveways, patios, walkways and porches under 30 inches above grade. The application includes a dimensioned drawing of the lot and project with distances to property lines, easements and buildings. Work in or crossing the public right-of-way needs an additional DPW permit.
Does a garage slab need a building permit in Clawson?
For garages and sheds over 200 square feet, yes. Clawson's building permit for those structures covers the concrete slab and footings. Smaller sheds and slabs without footings fall under the zoning permit instead. We confirm which permit applies to your project and include it in the schedule.
Can you work on a tight Clawson lot with no truck access?
Yes. Many Clawson lots have narrow side yards and garages near the alley. We use wheelbarrows, a line pump or a conveyor when the truck cannot reach, break out old concrete in sections and protect the house and neighboring property. Access affects labor, so we plan it during the estimate and show it on the quote.