# Sidewalk Design Guidelines for Drainage
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Regulations
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Check local regulations that govern city sidewalks. States, counties and municipalities regulate the construction of highways, roads and sidewalks within their boundaries. These organizations take local weather conditions and topography into account when setting drainage slope requirements. Therefore, sidewalk design guidelines for drainage vary depending on where you live.
AASHTO
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AASHTO recommends drainage guidelines for roads and sidewalks. Many states have adopted the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' guidelines on road drainage, sometimes called the "AASHTO Green Book."
Recommendation
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Sidewalks should slope toward the gutter and street. The AASHTO Green Book recommends a cross slope between 1.5 to 2 percent to provide effective drainage on paved surfaces in the majority of weather conditions. In contrast, gutters should be designed with a 5 percent cross slope to increase the speed at which water drains.
Maintenance
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Pedestrians can trip on cracked sidewalks. Homeowners should inspect their sidewalks regularly and look for conditions likely to cause injury or prevent pedestrians from using the walkway. Homeowners should repair cracked concrete, separation between steps and settled areas that trap water.
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