Sidewalks repaired, replaced or constructed under the provisions of this chapter shall be of the following construction and meet the following standards:
1. Cement. Portland cement shall be the only cement used in the construction and repair of sidewalks.
2. Construction. Sidewalks shall be of one-course construction.
3. Sidewalk Base. Concrete may be placed directly on compact and well-drained soil. Where soil is not well drained, a three-inch sub-base of compact, clean, coarse gravel or sand shall be laid. The adequacy of the soil drainage is to be determined by the City.
4. Sidewalk Bed. The sidewalk bed shall be so graded that the constructed sidewalk will be at established grade.
5. Length, Width and Depth. Length, width and depth requirements are as follows:
A. Residential sidewalks shall be at least four (4) feet wide and four (4) inches thick, and each section shall be no more than four (4) feet in length.
B. Business District sidewalks shall extend from the property line to the curb. Each section shall be four (4) inches thick and no more than six (6) feet in length.
C. Driveway areas shall be not less than six (6) inches in thickness.
6. Location. Residential sidewalks shall be located with the inner edge (edge nearest the abutting private property) on the property line, unless the Council establishes a different distance due to special circumstances.
7. Grade. Curb tops shall be on level with the centerline of the street which shall be the established grade.
8. Elevations. The street edge of a sidewalk shall be at an elevation even with the curb at the curb or not less than one-half (½) inch above the curb for each foot between the curb and the sidewalk.
9. Slope. All sidewalks shall slope one-quarter (¼) inch per foot toward the curb.
10. Finish. All sidewalks shall be finished with a “broom” or “wood float” finish.
11. Ramps for Persons with Disabilities. There shall be not less than two (2) curb cuts or ramps per lineal block which shall be located on or near the crosswalks at intersections. Each curb cut or ramp shall be at least thirty (30) inches wide, shall be sloped at not greater than one inch of rise per twelve (12) inches lineal distance, except that a slope no greater than one inch of rise per eight (8) inches lineal distance may be used where necessary, shall have a nonskid surface, and shall otherwise be so constructed as to allow reasonable access to the crosswalk for persons with disabilities using the sidewalk.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 216C.9)