Walkway

Walkway

A walkway is a private path on private property that is intended for pedestrian use. This definition distinguishes a walkway from a sidewalk, which is a paved path adjacent to a public road and intended for public use. Sidewalk maintenance is the homeowner’s responsibility in some communities and the government’s responsibility in other communities. Homeowners are sometimes held liable for dangerous sidewalk conditions, so inspecting sidewalks for slip and trip hazards is usually a good idea.

Residential walkways should provide safe and convenient access to the house. The minimum recommended width of a residential walkway that will allow two people to walk side-by-side is 48 inches. Narrower walkways are common and are not necessarily deficient; however, walkways less than 36 inches wide that serve the main door of the home may be a fall safety hazard, especially at night. The minimum recommended width for walkways intended for wheelchair access is 60 inches.

When walkways contain steps, the steps should comply with rules for stairways including maximum riser height and minimum tread depth. Steps with greater than the minimum tread depth are safer for walkway steps because these steps provide more walking surface. Walkway steps with four or more contiguous risers should have a handrail like interior stairways.