Inspector Gift
Sawhorse - Made in USA
City of Sandy development code standards allowed for very steep driveways at time that our policy for a safe walkway was created. There are existing driveways that exceed 34% slope and are a challenge to ascend in dry weather, but are very unsafe and impossible to ascend during winter conditions. The City has since revised the standards for driveways and now limit slope to 15%, and also tightened the requirement so that all driveways must be asphalt or concrete. We do not allow a driveway to be used as part of the "Safe Walkway" if the slope exceeds 8.3% (1 inch per foot) - which is the same for ADA ramps.So I am guessing from your statement on driveways you don't allow them to be over 1 in 12 is that correct?
and you will require someone in the middle of a large parcel of land lets say 40 plus acers to have a pathway from the middle of that property were the home is to the street, comply with that requirement.
Heck most of the streets were I am located are dirt, not even paved and the roads exceed 1 in 8.
I would agree with the state questioning you, your local authority is over stepping the intent of the IRC and the minimum code. If your going to extend all the way to the public right of way, scrap the IRC and just require every building to be built under the IBC.
Please keep in mind that I work in a small city. Any comments involving gravel driveways and long distances from to the public way are not applicable within City Limits. There are always those who bring up exceptions that appear to run contrary to the code, but can still comply with the intent and purpose of the code. Which brings me to my initial point: The Building Official is authorized to create interpretations and policies based upon the INTENT and PURPOSE of the code.
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