Building Department

Sidewalk Information

All property owners within the City, who have sidewalks along the property line, shall keep such sidewalks in good repair and free from defects, snow, ice, water and other obstructions or dangerous conditions. If the sidewalks along the property line become defective, dangerous or obstructed in any way, the Safety-Service Director may issue a notice to the property owner to remove such defects, dangerous conditions or obstructions and properly grade the areas between the sidewalks and edge of the roadway so that water will drain from such sidewalks. To speak with someone directly, please call our office or send us an email.

General Guidelines Requiring Sidewalk Repair or Replacement

• GENERAL SAFETY CONCERNS – any safety issue as reported to or determined by the City that could cause pedestrians to trip, cause a walking aid to get stuck or prevent a wheelchair from rolling smoothly that requires repair or replacement.
• STEP SEPARATION – a vertical displacement greater than 3/4″ at any point on the walkway.
• SURFACE SEPARATION – horizontal displacement greater than 1″ of the walking surface due to holes, rough spots, cracking, etc.
• SETTLED AREAS – sidewalk areas with depressions, reverse cross-slopes or other indentations that cause the walking path to be lower than the curb or edge of roadway causing water, silt or other debris to settle on the walking path.
• BUCKLED AREAS – sidewalks that are buckled, lifted, separated and/or cracked.
• NON-PERMITTED SIDEWALK MATERIALS – concrete is the only permitted material for public sidewalks. Existing sidewalks constructed of sandstone may remain in place if in good condition and may be properly repaired or reset to bring into good condition.

Examples of Sidewalk Defects and Dangerous Conditions with Suggested Repair Methods

Typical Concrete Repair Methods

Concrete Removal and Replacement Specifications:

A no-cost permit and a pre-pour inspection are required through the Building Department prior to the replacement of any public sidewalk concrete.

• All standard sidewalk areas shall be a minimum actual thickness of 3 1/2″
• All sidewalk areas located within the driveway shall be a minimum actual thickness of 5 1/2″
• All sub-grades shall be well draining and properly compacted
• All concrete shall contain fiber additive (Fibermesh 300-e3 or equivalent) or placement of wire mesh, minimum 6×6 w1.4xw1.4, into wet concrete
• All concrete shall be a minimum of 3,500 psi with the appropriately sized aggregate, air content and slump pursuant to Table 16.1 of the “Concrete Manual, 2012 IBC and ACI 318-II Concrete Quality and Field Practices”
• All concrete shall have medium broom finish
• Isolation joints, a minimum of 1/2″ in thickness, shall be placed against existing concrete. Isolation joints in newly placed concrete shall be spaced no more than 50 feet apart.
• Contraction/control joints, running transverse to the direction of the walking path, shall be placed at intervals no less than the width of the slab to a depth equal to one-fourth the depth of the concrete.
• Expansion joint material, 1/2″ in thickness, shall be placed against existing concrete transitions.
• All sidewalk sections shall be replaced to the same width of the existing sidewalk sections on either side of the replacement area.