Planning & Development
Sidewalk Requirements
Announcement: Over the last year and a half, the Planning and Development Department listened and gathered feedback about the Sidewalk Network Ordinance (Article XXII of Chapter 40) and permitting process from the Planning Commission, City Council, stakeholders, and the public. The Department is proposing ordinance amendments that will expand the sidewalk construction exemption criteria, simplify the ordinance, eliminate confusion and redundancy, streamline the application process, and address unconnected sidewalk segments in neighborhoods. Visit our public engagement page on Let’s Talk Houston to review the draft ordinance and to submit a comment. The last day to submit a comment on Let’s Talk Houston is November 7. This page features the current sidewalk regulations. Let’s Talk Houston features the proposed changes.
We are hosting a series of in-person and virtual meetings to outline and clarify the changes in the proposed sidewalk amendments. Join us in person or virtually at one of eight public meetings listed below. During the meetings, staff will answer questions and take comments from the community. View more details on www.letstalkhouston.org/sidewalk-ordinance-amendments.
In-Person Meetings |
Virtual Meetings |
Tuesday, October 22, 6-8 p.m. |
Wednesday, October 23 |
Thursday, October 24, 6-8 p.m. |
Saturday, October 26 |
Monday, October 28, 6-8 p.m. |
Tuesday, October 29 |
Wednesday, October 30, 6-8 p.m. |
Saturday, November 2 |
The Planning and Development Department reviews sidewalk widths and applications for sidewalk modifications within the city limits of Houston.
Following City Council approval of the Walkable Places Transit-Oriented Development initiative in August 2020, the City modified sidewalk standards to enhance walkability of our city and improve safety and accessibility in the pedestrian environment.
With safety and accessibility as guiding principles, the sidewalk regulations provide greater access for those who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers.
Previously under the direction of the Office of the City Engineer, this process allows the Planning and Development Department (PD) to review all applications for new sidewalks and parking lots as well as certain sidewalk and parking repairs or expansions. The process includes a framework of exceptions and gives applicants the flexibility to file an application to modify sidewalks or safety buffer standards. PD reviews applications in collaboration with the Office of City Engineer (OCE) and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).
On this website you will find the application and more information about eligibility, exceptions, fees and Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information, contact PD.sidewalkandrealm@houstontx.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
- New sidewalk (permit)
- Repair or replace a segment of sidewalk more than 20 feet in length
- New single-family residential (SFR) home (interior remodeling or expansion of the existing home does not trigger)
- Development plat
- New parking lot
- Parking lot addition of 10 spaces
- Parking lot reconstruction with more than 10 spaces or 25% of total area
- Any off-site parking paths (with an off-site parking lease agreement)
- Alterations of non-single family residences within 15 feet of the pedestrian realm with increased 250 square feet or 25% footprint along a Transit-Oriented Development or Walkable Places street
- More than 25% expansion of non-single family residential building
- New roadway construction
- Expansion or reconstruction of an existing roadway
- Removal of an existing sidewalk
The Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) Sec 17.06 establishes sidewalk related standards.
- A minimum 4’ wide safety buffer is required along all public streets to create a safe and comfortable distance between pedestrians on the sidewalk and vehicles on the adjacent roadway.
- The minimum sidewalk width is established based on either the location of the area or the street classification.
| Area Location Street Classification |
Street Type | Minimum Width |
|---|---|---|
Within Central Business District |
All |
8 feet |
Major Thoroughfare |
Walkable Places Street |
As designated by the Walkable Places Plan |
TOD Street |
8 feet |
|
All Others |
6 feet |
|
All Other Public Streets |
Walkable Places Street |
As designated by the Walkable Places Plan |
TOD Street |
6 feet |
|
All Others |
5 feet |
- Existing sidewalk is in good condition and meets current width standards
- Sidewalk is within a planned community with alternative paths or trails in lieu of sidewalks
- Sidewalk is within a sidewalk easement provides pedestrian accessibility adjacent to the public street
- Street is a grade-separated freeway without frontage road.
- Street is a grade-separated freeway with frontage road where PD, Office of City Engineer (OCE), and Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) determines it is infeasible or unsafe.
- No roadway or no plans to construct a roadway
- Cost for sidewalk is more than 50% of project (determined by CIP) except in the Central Business District, along Walkable Places or Transit Oriented Development streets
- The property is located along Fourth Ward streets. Call 832-393-6600 to speak with a staff member for confirmation of requirements.
- Certain repair and rehabilitation work will be performed by government entities
If there is no existing sidewalk on a block and the proposed development activities meet the criteria prescribed on Sec 40-560(b)(1), the property owner can choose to either construct the required sidewalk or pay a Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction.
Whether a sidewalk is required or not is determined by Sec 40-553, not by a deed restriction. Generally, deed restrictions regulate developments on private properties. Most sidewalks and safety buffers are constructed within public rights-of-way.
Yes, a sidewalk is required even if there is an existing obstruction. In this scenario, the applicant is required to construct the sidewalk bypassing the obstruction. If it’s technically infeasible to meet the sidewalk requirements, the applicant can submit a sidewalk standard modification application or an application to pay a Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction.
- Construct the required sidewalk. (Refer to Sec 40-553 to find out the development activities requiring sidewalk construction)
- Construct a sidewalk with modified width if the Sidewalk Committee approves the Sidewalk Standard Modification Application.
- Pay a Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction if meeting the criteria prescribed on Sec 40-560(b)(1) or Sec 40-561(d).
More details about the compliance options can be found on the City of Houston Sidewalk Requirement Compliance Options (.pdf)
You are required to submit the online application form(s) via https://houstontx.gov/planning/sidewalk-regulations.html. Other related documents shall be emailed to pd.sidewalkandrealm@houstontx.gov
The Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction is a voluntary option for property owners/ developers to meet the sidewalk construction requirements of the Sidewalk Ordinance (Chapter 40, Article XXII). If a proposed development meets the criteria listed on Section 40- 560(b)(1) or Section 40- 561, the property owner may choose to pay the fee instead of constructing the required sidewalk. Learn more about the Fee in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction.
The Sidewalk Fund is a special fund established to collect Fees in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction. The fund will be used to construct new sidewalks. It will not be used to maintain or repair existing sidewalks. Learn more about the Sidewalk Fund.