This standard for walkways, sidewalks, and ramps specifically addresses walking surfaces that are blocked or obstructed. “Blocked and obstructed” has two definitions: first, large fixed objects prevent access to a walkway or ramp. Secondly, where the width and height of a walkway are restricted, preventing it from being used for travel.
The second of these refers to standards from the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and Americans with Disability Act (ADA), both of which establish a standard that accessible routes should be 36” wide at all times and not have any objects in the path of travel that are less than 80” from the surface. The vertical clearance deficiency is not included in HUD’s NSPIRE standards as of the date of this manual; however, it is consistent with a standard of an impassable walking surface.
| Def# | Deficiency | Severity | Repair Due | HCV Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walkway/ramp is obstructed and reduced to less than 36” | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
| 1 | Vertical clearance obstruction less than 80” in walkway | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
| 1 | Sidewalk, walkway, or ramp is blocked or impassable | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
| 2 | Sidewalk, walkway, or ramp is not functionally adequate | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
| 2 | Walking surface is damaged and cannot be safely traveled | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
| 2 | Walking surface has dimensional changes/unsafe | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
| 2 | Walking surface comprised of unstable materials | Moderate | 30 Days | Fail |
Sidewalk, Walkway, and Ramp Standard V3.0 Updated 6/16/23
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