Private walkways
Front walks, paths to a side gate, stepping routes to a shed or garden: these are private flatwork. Boise's code exempts sidewalks not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade from a building permit, as long as they are not over a basement and not part of an accessible route. Typical widths run from narrow garden paths to wider front walks that let two people pass. A broom finish across the direction of travel gives the best grip in frost.
Curves look good and cost more to form. Tooled joints on narrow walks are usually spaced closer than on a driveway; the joint rule of thumb (24 to 36 times the thickness in inches) gives a 4-inch walk joints every 8 to 12 feet at most, and shorter panels on narrow walks crack less.
Public sidewalks and the ACHD right-of-way
In Ada County, the sidewalk along the street is generally in Ada County Highway District right-of-way. Work there, including replacing panels, needs an ACHD permit, and ACHD requires the permit holder to be licensed and bonded for right-of-way work. Sidewalks must meet ADA, ISPWC and ACHD specifications, including a cross-slope of no more than 2 percent. Meridian also requires a temporary use permit for work in the public right-of-way. In Canyon County, check with the city or highway district.
Who pays to fix a cracked or lifted public sidewalk varies by jurisdiction and isn't something we verified. Call ACHD or your city before you assume either way.
Trip hazards, roots and frost heave
Older neighborhoods like the North End and the Bench have mature street trees whose roots lift sidewalk panels. Frost heave and settling do the same thing in newer subdivisions. Options run from grinding down a small lip, to leveling a sunken panel, to replacing a broken one. Replacement near a tree should be coordinated with whoever owns the tree; cutting major roots can kill it.
Cost
National cost guides put concrete sidewalks and walkways at about $6 to $14 per square foot installed, with decorative finishes higher. A 4 by 40 foot front walk is 160 square feet, roughly $960 to $2,240 at that range. Removal of an old walk adds about $2 to $6 per square foot nationally; see concrete removal.
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