An interlock driveway in Scarborough starts at $19 – $20 per square foot for installation in 2026, plus pavers priced by the stone you choose: about $9,500 – $10,000 for a 500 sq ft driveway and $15,200 – $16,000 for an 800 sq ft one, before pavers. Many Scarborough houses from the 1950s to the 1970s sit on wider lots than older parts of Toronto, with long single or double driveways that are now cracked asphalt. Replacing them with interlock is common, but two things decide whether it lasts: the base under the pavers on Scarborough's clay soils, and staying within Toronto's rules on driveway width and front-yard landscaping.
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Interlock Driveway in Scarborough: Key Takeaways
- Cost: installation from $19 – $20 per sq ft (excavation, base, bedding, labour); pavers extra, priced by the stone you choose.
- Base: excavation to firm subgrade, geotextile where the clay is soft, and 10 – 12 inches of compacted Granular A; this is where cheap driveways fail.
- Width and landscaping: Toronto's zoning limits how wide a driveway can be and requires part of the front yard to stay soft landscaping.
- Curb cut: widening the driveway where it meets the street needs City approval for the boulevard and curb.
- Drainage: slope away from the house, and roof water must not be directed onto a neighbour's property or the sidewalk.
Scarborough Interlock Driveway Costs (2026 CAD)
| Option | Installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway installation | From $19 – $20 per sq ft | Removal of old asphalt, excavation, 10 – 12″ Granular A, 1″ HPB bedding, laying, edge restraint, polymeric sand |
| Pavers (80 mm, driveway-rated) | Depends on the stone you choose | Standard concrete, designer lines, large-format and natural stone are priced separately |
| Walkways and side paths | $22 – $45 per sq ft | Steps and landings priced separately |
| Heated driveway (snow melt) add-on | Quoted per project | Needs electrical capacity or a boiler |
What Makes a Scarborough Driveway Last
The base on clay soil
Much of Scarborough sits on clay and till that hold water and move with frost. A driveway laid over a thin base will settle in the wheel tracks and heave in winter. We excavate to firm ground, lay geotextile where the subgrade is soft, and build up the granular base in compacted lifts before the bedding layer and pavers. The deeper base costs more on day one and is the main reason a driveway still looks flat ten years later.
Pattern and edges
A herringbone pattern locks pavers against the twisting of car tires better than a running bond. Edge restraint along every open side and polymeric sand in the joints stop the pavers from creeping and keep weeds and ants down.
Water
The driveway should fall away from the house and toward the street or a soft area. In Toronto, downspouts that were once connected to the sewer have to discharge onto the ground, so we plan where that water goes so it does not freeze on the driveway or run toward the foundation.
Toronto Rules for Driveways in Scarborough
- Zoning: Zoning By-law 569-2013 limits driveway width based on lot frontage and requires a minimum share of the front yard to be landscaping, most of it soft landscaping. A wider driveway than the by-law allows needs a Committee of Adjustment variance, which is not routinely granted.
- Curb and boulevard: the strip between the sidewalk or curb and your property line is City land. Widening the curb cut or paving the boulevard needs approval from the City; replacing a driveway at the same width does not.
- Front-yard parking pads are a separate licence and are not available on every street.
- No building permit is needed to replace a driveway with interlock at the same size.
- Utilities: we request locates through Ontario One Call before excavation.
How the Job Runs
- Free site visit. We measure, check the lot frontage and existing width against the zoning, and look at drainage.
- Written fixed-price quote within 5 business days, with the base depth and pavers specified.
- Locates and removal. Utility locates, then removal of the old asphalt or concrete.
- Base and pavers. Excavation, geotextile, compacted granular base, bedding, pavers, edge restraint and polymeric sand.
- Cleanup, usually within one to two weeks on site for a typical driveway.
Related guides: interlock driveway installation in Toronto, renovations in Scarborough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an interlock driveway cost in Scarborough?
Installation starts at $19 – $20 per square foot in 2026, about $9,500 – $10,000 for 500 sq ft and $15,200 – $16,000 for 800 sq ft. Pavers are extra and depend on the stone you choose.
Can I make my driveway wider?
Only within the width the zoning by-law allows for your lot frontage, and while keeping the required front-yard landscaping. Widening at the curb also needs City approval for the boulevard.
Do I need a permit for an interlock driveway?
Not to replace a driveway at the same size. Widening it, changing the curb cut or adding a parking pad involves City approvals.
How long does interlock last?
With a proper base and edge restraint, an interlock driveway lasts decades, and individual pavers can be lifted and relaid if needed.
Get a Free Quote in Scarborough
Country Renovations has been working on Toronto homes since 2014. WSIB-covered trade partners and $5M insurance. Book a free site visit and you will have a written, fixed-price quote in 5 business days.