A. The maximum slope of a sidewalk is one to twenty (1:20) or five percent (5%). Sidewalks with slopes greater than one to twenty (1:20) or five percent (5%) are considered ramps and must comply with the most current accessibility guidelines associated with the Americans with disabilities act or regulations promulgated by the department of justice for ramps.
1. Exception: Sidewalks that run parallel to a street may have a grade matching the road grade.
B. The surface of the sidewalk must be paved and slip resistant with no changes in level greater than one-fourth inch (1/4").
C. The plans must include curb ramps with detectable warnings, any necessary signals or signage and for residential subdivisions it must include a plan for each individual lot.
D. The minimum clear width of sidewalks that run parallel to local streets is forty eight inches (48") and along other roads the minimum clear width is sixty inches (60").
E. Every sidewalk must provide a clear passing width of at least sixty inches by sixty inches (60" x 60") located at intervals not to exceed two hundred feet (200').
F. Driveway crossings must not create a cross slope for the sidewalk of more than one and one-half percent (11/2%).
G. The minimum headroom is eighty inches (80").
H. Gratings may not have openings greater than one-half inch (1/2") and the long dimension of the openings must run perpendicular to the direction of travel.
I. Sidewalks that include directional signs must include braille with the baseline of the tactile characters between forty eight inches (48") and sixty inches (60").
J. Curb ramps should be designed consistent with the following:
1. Provide a level maneuvering area at the top of the curb ramp;
2. Clearly identify the boundary between the bottom of the curb ramp and the street with a detectable warning that extends the full width of the ramp and runs for twenty four inches (24") from the bottom of the ramp;
3. Place the curb ramp within the marked crosswalk area;
4. Design the ramp so that it does not require turning or maneuvering on the ramp surface;
5. Design the ramp with a maximum grade of 7.1 percent;
6. Design the ramp and gutter with a cross slope of one and one- half percent (11/2%) maximum;
7. Provide adequate drainage to prevent accumulation of water or debris at the bottom of the ramp;
8. Transitions from ramps to gutter and streets are flush and free of level changes; and
9. Align the curb ramps with the crosswalk so there is a straight path of travel from the top of the ramp to the center of the roadway to the curb ramp on the other side.
K. Detectable warnings for curb ramps should consist of truncated domes with:
1. A bottom diameter of twenty three millimeters (23 mm) (0.9 inch);
2. A top diameter of ten millimeters (10 mm) (0.4 inch);
3. A height of five millimeters (5 mm) (0.2 inch);
4. A center to center spacing of sixty millimeters (60 mm) (2.35 inches); and
5. A visual contrast from the adjacent pavement.
L. When sidewalks are being constructed or modified along streets that have already been constructed, these standards may need to be modified to adjust to the particular layout of the land, property, street and utilities. Care should be taken to ensure accessibility is enhanced and not diminished by construction but strict compliance may not be feasible. In these circumstances parallel curb ramps, blended transitions, or other designs may be utilized. (Ord. 2014-37, 11-18-2014)