Pedestrian connections to building entrances must be built so everyone can reach their destination safely. This rule applies to all commercial, institutional, multi-family, and industrial developments, as outlined below.
Pedestrian connection standards by district
District PR1, PR2, PR3; RMF, RMU; C1–C4; CMU, EI, MMU
Commercial, institutional, multifamily: Standard A
Industrial: Standard A
District A, RR5, RR2
Commercial, institutional, multifamily: Standard B
Industrial: Standard B
District M1, M2, M3
Commercial, institutional, multifamily: Standard A
Industrial: Standard B
Zoning requirements
The Zoning By-law requires that you must provide a clear, accessible walking path from the main entrance of at least one main building to the public sidewalk and the nearest bus stop. These paths also need to connect the entrances of all main buildings and the outdoor entrances of all units in those buildings.
When you apply for development approval, you must include detailed drawings showing these pedestrian connections. This helps us confirm that all requirements are met.
Construction requirements
Minimum clear width
Pedestrian routes must be a minimum of 1.5 m (4’-11”) wide. Keep the path clear so people can walk safely. Do not place objects like signs, lamp posts, bike racks (including locked bikes), or anything that sticks out into the walkway. This also includes space for doors that swing outward.
If parking stalls are next to the walkway, you may need curb stops to keep cars from blocking the path.
Walkways in parking lots should be designed so people don’t have to cross many driving lanes or walk behind parked cars.
If you need curb ramps to connect to the walkway, make sure the ramp does not take up space in the walking path.
Materials
Routes must be built with a stable, firm, slip-resistant, and glare-free base. Acceptable materials include concrete, asphalt, and pavers. Concrete and asphalt are best because they provide a smooth surface for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Pavers
Figure 2: joint spacing in pavers
If pavers are used, make sure the gaps between them are no more than 5 mm. If the edges are beveled, the space should not be more than 10 mm.
Grates
Figure 3: grills and gratings
If grates or catch basins are located within the path, any openings must be less than 13 mm. Openings larger than 13 mm (1/2") will catch wheelchair wheels or canes.
Types of edges:
Standard A
The edges of the route must be defined from the main path of travel by a significant difference in colour contrast and texture. Ways to do this include:
- Adding a band of colour contrasting pavers
- Incorporating a planting bed or grass
- Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) traffic paint which includes grit to achieve texture
Standard B
This is the same as Standard A, except that the edges need to differ from the main path with a significant colour contrast only, not with a different texture. Ways to do this include:
- Painted edge
- Coloured concrete
Colour contrast
Figure 4: Example 70 percent colour contrast and texture
Different texture
Figure 5: example planting bed edge
Changes in elevation
Ground surfaces along routes shall be free of vertical rises that impose barriers for users of mobility aids and strollers, or that create tripping hazards.
Only a minor vertical rise is permitted within an accessible route, per the following information:
Where sloped surfaces are included, the slope along a walkway and in curb ramps should be 1:20 (5 percent) or less. Any slope greater than this is considered a “barrier-free ramp” and must be designed in accordance with the Manitoba Building Code.
The cross slope on walking surfaces shall not exceed 1:50 (2 percent)
Curb ramps
These may be required to provide access from the parking surface to an adjacent raised pedestrian area. Where two curb ramps are needed to provide a pedestrian crossing across a vehicle drive aisle, the curb ramps should include a detectable warning panel. For dimensional and layout guidance, see City construction specs SD-229.
Optional: If raised sidewalks are provided to cross vehicle drive aisles, they should be designed to include curb ramps with detectable panels, and to ensure that the slope of the ramps used by vehicles have a maximum slope of 5 percent.
Recommended design criteria
- Provide directional signage where there is a change in direction along a pedestrian route and where the intended destination of the route it not clearly evident.
- Provide a level of illumination of at least 50 lux along the entire route.
- Where vertical objects are adjacent to a route, the surface surrounding the objects must differ in texture and colour from the routes.
Questions?
Get help by calling Permits Direct Line at 204-986-5140 or by visiting our contact directory.