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Borough of Lansdale, PA
Montgomery County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (0) Index Notes (1)
Public Documents
Misc. Documents (27)
The following materials shall be used in the construction of sidewalks:
A. 
Subbase: three-fourths-inch stone with a depth of four inches to a suitable grade.
B. 
Concrete: minimum pounds-per-square-inch rating of 3,500 psi.
C. 
A white, liquid membrane curing compound, complying with PennDOT Pub. 408, must be applied within 24 hours of concrete being poured.
Sidewalks shall adhere to the following dimensional criteria:
A. 
Minimum width: 48 inches, provided that passing space is provided at intervals of 200 feet or less which is either:
(1) 
Sixty inches minimum by 60 inches minimum; or
(2) 
An intersection of two walking surfaces, providing a T-shaped space where the base and arms of the T-shaped space span 48 inches' minimum beyond their intersection.
B. 
Minimum required thickness: four inches.
C. 
Grass strips and sidewalk width shall be installed so as to maintain continuity through the length of the property and as approved, in writing, by the Borough official.
A. 
Sidewalk design approval by the Borough official is required to ensure a proper accessible route prior to construction of a sidewalk. The Borough official may require a layout drawing to be provided with a permit application for sidewalk construction.
B. 
The Borough official may, in his or her sole discretion, require sidewalk to be widened where there are two or more obstacles in any twenty-five-foot section of sidewalk.
The cross slope of a sidewalk shall not exceed 2%. The cross slope shall be sloped in the downward direction toward the cartway.
A sidewalk may have a running slope in the upwardly or downwardly direction at a maximum of 5% from the existing sidewalk grade in order to accommodate driveway aprons and transitions to ramps which are either higher or lower than the level of the sidewalk.
Notwithstanding any provision contained in this chapter, ornamental features, such as ornamental pavers, may be permitted or required in the Downtown Business Overlay District by written notice from the Borough official and may be required, in the sole discretion of the Borough Council, for any Borough streetscape project.
Wherever sidewalk is replaced or installed, the area under the sidewalk shall be excavated to a depth of eight inches below the level of the finished walk. Four inches of three-fourths-inch stone shall be placed and compacted in the excavated area under the sidewalk.
A. 
Wood or metal forms may be utilized in sidewalk construction so long as the forms are set in a fashion that ensures the thickness of the sidewalk is a full four inches.
B. 
Forms must be inspected by the Borough official prior to concrete being poured.
No accumulated surface, roof area or driveway water shall be directed across the surface of a sidewalk. All sidewalk and curb construction shall accommodate drainage of surface, roof area and driveway water under the sidewalk where necessary.
A. 
Surface drainage shall be carried under the sidewalk and through the curb in minimum SDR 35 PVC pipe having an inside diameter of three inches, and which shall be one piece from the street face of the curb to six inches inside the building side of the sidewalk when applicable or required by the Borough official.
B. 
The invert of the pipe at the street end shall be at least 1/2 inch above the bottom of the face of the curb. At a minimum, there shall be at least 1 1/2 inches between the top of curb and the top of pipe. The grade of the pipe to the street shall not be less than 1/4 inch per foot.
C. 
There shall be a minimum of one such drain for each fifty-foot interval per building lot and a minimum of two per building; provided, however, that the aforesaid spacing requirements shall not apply to the replacement of existing drainage facilities.
D. 
Where a storm sewer is available in the street or under the sidewalk, the above drain shall discharge into the same. If no storm sewer is available, the drainage shall be through the face of the curb into the street gutters.
A. 
One-half-inch pre-molded expansion joint material shall be placed at maximum intervals of 30 feet.
[Amended 5-15-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-1836]
B. 
Wherever the sidewalk abuts against a wall, building or other permanent structure, a longitudinal expansion joint shall be provided.
A. 
The surface of all sidewalks shall have a broom finish.
B. 
The edges of sidewalks shall be finished with a one-fourth-inch radius and joints troweled every 48 inches or 72 inches, as required by the Borough official.
An opening shall be left around all trees within the sidewalk area. All poles, fire hydrants, light standards, or any other structure shall have an area of concrete a minimum of six inches larger than the pertinent item, boxed-out with an expansion joint. Signpost sleeves shall be provided for existing or proposed signs.
Under no circumstances shall any public service curb or sidewalk boxes for access to underground facilities be left below the sidewalk level. Service curb or sidewalk boxes shall be extended to the finished elevation of the new sidewalk.
A. 
As soon as reasonably possible, but in no event more than 12 hours after the removal of forms, any void behind the sidewalk shall be backfilled.
B. 
Material shall be placed in loose layers not exceeding four inches and compacted using vibrating or mechanical tampers. The topmost four inches shall be topsoil which is raked and seeded for areas where a grass strip is to adjoin the curb. New seed shall be watered within 24 hours of initial placement.
C. 
Where there are slopes adjacent a sidewalk in excess of 25%, matting is required, and the Borough official may require a retaining wall or the slope to be cut back to provide less slope.