PERMITS - Any person constructing a sidewalk within the corporate limits of the City shall first secure a permit from the Director of Public Service - Plans & Permits Center, Municipal Building - Room 100, 166 South High Street.

GRADE - All sidewalks within the City shall be located in the street right-of-way with the inner edge of the walk on the property line and laid on a grade rising 1/2 inch to the foot from the established curb grade. Walks shall have a cross slope of 1/2 inch per foot of width unless otherwise directed.

WIDTH - The minimum width of all sidewalk shall be five feet. The Director of Public Service may increase the minimum width at his discretion.

COURSES - All sidewalk and driveway approaches shall be one-course construction.

THICKNESS - All sidewalks constructed, replaced, or repaired in areas zoned as U1, H1, or A1, residential district classification, shall be constructed with a minimum of four inches of concrete in depth, except for that portion of the sidewalk used as driveway approaches, which shall be a minimum of six inches in depth. All sidewalk construction or reconstruction in areas other than areas zoned as U1, H1, or A1 districts, as defined in the Zoning Code, shall be a minimum of six inches of concrete in depth.

POROUS BASE - Porous base is not required, but a base course of free draining sand or gravel may be used if the contractor so desires.

FORMS - The sidewalk shall be constructed between standard steel forms of the required height; except around sharp curves, wooden strips may be used. On small jobs, wooden forms may be used when approved by the engineer.

JOINTS - The sidewalk shall be divided into blocks (approximately square) by means of a 1/8 inch metal divider plate and/or saw with a concrete saw to a minimum of two inches below the top surface. Every 30 feet, an expansion joint 1/2 inch wide shall be provided for the full thickness of the sidewalk. Expansion joints shall be provided whenever the sidewalk comes against fixed objects such as curbs, retaining walls, buildings, or other sidewalks. The expansion joints shall be filled with hot asphalt joint filler or pre-molded bituminous strips. Where concrete sidewalks surround posts, fire hydrants, gratings, castings, and other similar objects, the concrete immediately adjacent to such objects shall be separated from the remaining concrete by means of joints extending through the full depth of the sidewalk. In general, these joints shall be placed about six inches from the objects and arranged in the form of squares or rectangles or as directed by the engineer.

MATERIALS - All material shall meet City of Akron specification for Class "C" concrete (600 lbs. of cement per cubic yard).

PLACING & FINISHING - While being placed, the concrete shall be tamped, spaded, or screened. At the proper time, the surface of the concrete shall be finished with a wooden float to a workmanlike finish, smooth and even, but with a slightly rough texture. Special care shall be exercised in finishing on each side of the divider plates so as to avoid difference in elevation between adjacent blocks, and top edges for all blocks shall be rounded with suitable edging tools. The contractor shall protect the walk against damage of all kinds until the work has been accepted.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS - All valve boxes, manhole covers, and other castings in the sidewalk area shall be adjusted to the grade of the walk. All newly constructed walks shall have the contractors name imprinted in front of each lot.

PROTECTION AGAINST WEATHER (Section 451.07) - When concrete is being placed in cold weather and temperature may be expected to drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, a supply of straw, hay, insulated curing blankets, or other suitable material shall be provided along the line of work. At any time when the air temperature may be expected to reach freezing point during the day or night, the material so provided shall be spread over the concrete to a sufficient depth to prevent freezing of the concrete. Concrete shall be protected from freezing temperatures until it is at least five days old. Concrete injured by frost action shall be removed and replaced at the contractor’s expense.

COLD WEATHER CONCRETING - Except by specific written authorization, concreting shall cease when the descending air temperature in the shade and away from artificial heat falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It shall not be resumed until the ascending air temperature in the shade and away from artificial heat rises to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. When concreting is permitted during cold weather, the temperature of the mixed concrete shall not be less than 50 degrees nor more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of placing in the forms. The aggregates or water or both may be heated. The aggregates may be heated by steam or dry heat prior to being placed in the mixer. The water shall not be hotter that 175 degrees Fahrenheit. When both aggregates are heated, it is rarely necessary to heat them above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the sand only is heated, it may be necessary to heat it to as much as 150 degrees Fahrenheit. In no case shall concrete be deposited on a frozen subgrade nor shall frozen materials be used in concrete.

RAIN - When periodic rainfall is imminent, the size and the arrangements of paving operations shall be so placed as to facilitate protection of the work. An adequate supply of waterproof covering shall be available on the job site at all times. The concrete contractor shall replace, at his expense, any pavement damaged by rain.

PERMITS, DEPOSITS, & FEE CHARGES - The deposit is $0.25 per square foot and refunded when work has been inspected and done according to the specifications. Fee is not refundable.