Guidelines for Installing Sidewalks

Land-Use/Roadway Functional Classification/ and Dwelling Unit New Urban and Suburban Streets Existing Urban and Suburban Streets
Commercial and Industrial (All Streets) Both sides. Both sides. Every effort should be made to add sidewalks where they do not exist and complete missing links.
Residential (Major Arterials) Both sides. Multifamily-both sides.
    Single family dwellings-prefer both sides; require at least one side.
Residential (Collectors) Both sides. Multifamily-both sides.
    Single family dwellings-prefer both sides; require at least one side.
Residential (Local Streets)
More than 4 Units Per Acre		 Both sides. Prefer both sides; require at least one side.
1 to 4 Units per Acre Prefer both sides; require at least one side. At least 4-feet shoulder on both sides required.
Less than 1 Unit per Acre One side preferred; shoulder on both sides required. One side preferred, at least 4-feet shoulder on both sides required.

NOTES:

  1. Any local street within two blocks of a school site that would be on a walking route to school-sidewalk and curb and gutter required.
  2. Sidewalks may be omitted on one side of a new street where that side clearly cannot be developed and where there are no existing or anticipated uses that would generate pedestrian trips on that side.
  3. Where there are service roads, the sidewalk adjacent to the main road may be eliminated and replaced by a sidewalk adjacent to the service road on the side away from the road.
  4. For rural roads not likely to serve development, a shoulder at least 4 feet in width, preferably 8 feet on primary highways, should be provided. Surface material should provide a stable, mud-free walking surface.

(Ref: Design and Safety of Pedestrian Facilities, ITE, March 1998)