How to paint a driveway throat

Announcements

January 16, 2025

Due to existing backlog of installations and budget cuts, PBOT has suspended all PBOT installed driveway clearance requests until further notice.  You may still paint your own driveway throat. See complete instructions below. 

Overview

PBOT has established city rules around painting the throat of your driveway. Follow the guidelines below for painting the throat of your driveway (16.10.080 Altering or Erecting Traffic Control Devices. | Portland.gov).

Paint your driveway throat yourself

To paint your own driveway throat, you must follow all the city criteria listed below:

1. The driveway MUST meet the definition of a driveway. Those definitions are in City Code Title 16, §16.90.105.
2. The driveway MAY NOT BE in a prohibited parking area. This includes areas marked NO PARKING AT ANY TIME, NO PARKING THIS BLOCK, or TRUCK LOADING ZONE, etc.
3. You may paint ONLY the "throat" of the driveway. The throat of a driveway is the width of the driveway at street level as well as the "wings" where the driveway slopes up to meet the curb. If you want added driveway clearance, you MUST apply to PBOT to do the work for you (see below).
4. You MUST use a specific color of paint. This color is generally called "Traffic Yellow." The city may not endorse specific paint stores or traffic supply vendors. You will have to research this on your own.

5. The painted line can ONLY be as wide as the curb itself, not to exceed 8 inches. 

   See illustration below of "Throat only" driveway for example. 

   View full size image of Illustrated driveway showing where to paint on driveway from throat to wing. Drawing shows yellow painted driveway.