2022 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2023)
11B-403.3 Slope.
The running slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:20. The cross slope of walking surfaces shall not be steeper than 1:48.
Exception: The running slope of sidewalks shall not exceed the general grade established for the adjacent street or highway.
When the running slope of a walking surface exceeds 5%, it must comply with the accessibility requirements for ramps.
A sloping sidewalk with a running slope in excess of 5% is excluded from ramp requirements for landings and handrails but it must comply with cross-slope and width requirements. ◼
ETA Editor's Note
The 2022 CBC Exception at 11B-403.3 is not present in the 2010 ADA Standards. Therefore, technically, the 2010 ADA Standards are more stringent with regard to the slope of sidewalks at streets or highways. CBC does not define street or highway but does define sidewalk as " ... contiguous to a street used by the public." It is inferable, whether intended or not, that sidewalks serving as accessible routes alongside private roadways are not excepted from the slope limitation.
On August 8, 2023, the U.S. Access Board published in the Federal Register its final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. More information may be found on the Access Board's website: U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (access-board.gov).
In 2013, in response to feedback, the U.S. Access Board issued a proposed Supplemental Rule to address accessibility for Shared Use Paths (used by pedestrians, bicyclists, and others for transportation or recreation), distinguished from sidewalks, as well as from trails. More information about this rulemaking process is available on the Access Board’s website: https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/streets-sidewalks/shared-use-paths.
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