Sidewalks, Curbs & Gutters

Professional Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter Installation in Bellingham, WA

Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters form the essential infrastructure that makes Bellingham's neighborhoods walkable, manageable, and accessible to all residents. From residential driveway approaches to complete streetscape installations in commercial districts, we provide concrete sidewalk and curb work that meets City of Bellingham Public Works standards, ADA accessibility requirements, and HOA specifications throughout Whatcom County. With extensive experience working within Bellingham's sidewalk replacement program and neighborhood improvement projects, we understand the technical requirements and permitting processes that ensure compliant, long-lasting installations.

Bellingham's Sidewalk Replacement Program & Residential Requirements

The City of Bellingham operates a sidewalk replacement program that requires property owners to maintain sidewalks adjacent to their property. When sidewalks develop trip hazards (vertical displacement of 1/2 inch or more), spalling concrete, or structural deterioration, the City issues violation notices requiring repair or replacement. This program is particularly active in older neighborhoods like the Lettered Streets, Columbia, Sehome, and York, where concrete sidewalks installed in the 1950s-1970s are reaching the end of their service life.

We handle the complete sidewalk replacement process for Bellingham homeowners:

City of Bellingham permit application and coordination with Public Works inspectors
Existing sidewalk removal and proper disposal at approved Whatcom County facilities
Grade verification to meet City standards (typically 2% cross-slope for drainage)
Proper base preparation including 4-6 inches of compacted crushed rock
New concrete placement meeting City specifications (4-inch minimum thickness, 3,000 PSI minimum strength)
ADA-compliant detectable warning surfaces at curb ramps when required
Control joint placement at proper intervals to control cracking
Broom finish for slip resistance in Bellingham's rainy climate

Lettered Streets project example: We replaced 85 linear feet of deteriorating sidewalk on a corner lot near Eldridge Avenue. The original 1960s sidewalk had multiple trip hazards, tree root damage, and sections that had settled 2-3 inches. Working within the City's right-of-way, we coordinated with Public Works to verify the existing grade stakes, carefully removed the old concrete to avoid damaging the street trees, installed new crushed rock base where needed, and poured new 4-inch sidewalk sections with proper control joints every 5 feet. The project included two ADA-compliant curb ramps at the corner, complete with detectable warning surfaces and proper slope transitions. The installation passed City inspection, and the violation notice was cleared.

ADA Compliance & Bellingham's Transition Plan

The City of Bellingham has an ongoing ADA Transition Plan that prioritizes making public sidewalks and pathways accessible to people with mobility challenges. This includes installing or upgrading curb ramps, correcting excessive cross-slopes, and removing barriers throughout the pedestrian network. Commercial property owners and residential property owners in the public right-of-way must ensure their sidewalks meet current ADA standards.

Key ADA requirements for Bellingham sidewalks and curb ramps include:

Minimum 4-foot clear width for the pedestrian path (5 feet preferred)
Maximum 2% cross-slope perpendicular to the direction of travel
Maximum 5% running slope in the direction of travel (unless following street grade)
Curb ramp slopes between 7.1% and 8.33% (5% to 7% preferred when possible)
Detectable warning surfaces (truncated domes) on all curb ramps
Level landing areas at the top of curb ramps (minimum 4'x4')
Smooth transitions between different surface materials

We've installed dozens of ADA-compliant curb ramps throughout Bellingham, including projects in the Barkley neighborhood (coordinating with the Barkley Village development standards), downtown Bellingham (meeting historic district requirements), and at Western Washington University campus edges. Each installation includes proper detectable warning surface products approved for Washington State DOT use, properly graded approaches, and compliant landing areas.

Commercial Property Frontage & Municipal Standards

Commercial property owners in Bellingham have specific obligations for sidewalk, curb, and gutter maintenance along their street frontages. The City's Municipal Code requires property owners to maintain these improvements in safe, accessible condition. When developing or redeveloping commercial properties, current Public Works standards must be met, which often means upgrading existing infrastructure.

Commercial sidewalk and curb work in Bellingham requires:

Right-of-way use permits from the City of Bellingham Public Works Department
Traffic control plans when work affects pedestrian or vehicle traffic
Compliance with current Public Works standards for materials, dimensions, and grades
Coordination with existing utilities (water meters, storm drains, underground utilities)
ADA accessibility throughout the property frontage
Proper stormwater management integration with curb and gutter systems

Guide Meridian commercial project: We replaced 240 linear feet of deteriorating curb, gutter, and sidewalk for a retail property undergoing facade renovation. The existing improvements dated to the 1980s and didn't meet current ADA standards. Working with the property owner's civil engineer, we obtained right-of-way permits, installed traffic control, removed the old concrete, coordinated with the City to adjust two storm drain inlets, installed new curb and gutter with proper drainage grades, poured a 6-foot-wide sidewalk with ADA-compliant cross-slopes, and installed three curb ramps with detectable warning surfaces. The entire frontage now meets current Bellingham standards and provides safe pedestrian access.

Neighborhood Development & HOA Requirements

Newer Bellingham neighborhoods like Barkley, Cordata, and Birchwood often have Homeowners Association (HOA) requirements for sidewalk, curb, and gutter appearance and maintenance. These developments typically have comprehensive design standards covering concrete color, finish texture, curb style, and landscaping integration. We work directly with HOAs, developers, and individual homeowners to meet these covenant requirements.

Common HOA sidewalk and curb requirements include:

Consistent concrete finish (typically broom finish, occasionally exposed aggregate)
Uniform curb profiles matching the neighborhood standard
Specific driveway approach designs with approved flare rates and widths
Landscape strip requirements between sidewalk and curb (planting strip width and plantings)
Matching repair materials when replacing damaged sections

Barkley Village residential project: We installed 320 linear feet of sidewalk, curb, and gutter for two new single-family homes under construction. The Barkley Homeowners Association has specific standards requiring 5-foot-wide sidewalks with broom finish, standard rolled curb profile, and 4-foot planting strips with irrigation sleeves. We worked with the builder to coordinate the concrete installation between underground utility work and final landscaping, met all HOA specifications, and passed City of Bellingham Public Works inspection for the new infrastructure.

Driveway Approaches & Curb Cuts

Residential driveway approaches in Bellingham require careful design to meet City standards while providing adequate vehicle access. The approach must transition from the street grade to the property grade, include properly formed curb returns, and tie into existing sidewalks without creating trip hazards or drainage problems.

City of Bellingham requirements for driveway approaches include:

Right-of-way permit from Public Works for any new or modified approach
Maximum width limits (typically 24 feet for residential, wider for commercial)
Minimum curb return radius (typically 3-5 feet for residential approaches)
Proper drainage transitions to maintain street gutter flow
Sidewalk integration maintaining pedestrian path of travel
Sight distance requirements at corner locations

We coordinate all permit requirements with the City, handle the curb cutting and concrete removal, form and pour new curb returns and approaches, and ensure proper integration with existing sidewalks and street improvements.

Stormwater Management Integration

Bellingham receives over 40 inches of rain annually, making effective stormwater management critical for curb and gutter systems. The City's Public Works Department has specific standards for curb and gutter grades, inlet locations, and drainage calculations. Many older neighborhoods are being retrofitted with improved stormwater infrastructure as part of the City's ongoing efforts to reduce stormwater pollution entering Bellingham Bay and Whatcom Creek.

Our curb and gutter installations include:

Proper longitudinal grades to direct water flow toward inlets (minimum 0.5% slope)
Adequate gutter width and capacity for the drainage area served
Integration with existing storm drains and catch basins
Consideration of low-impact development techniques where applicable (permeable areas, bioswales)
Compliance with Whatcom County stormwater regulations for properties outside City limits

Tree Root Management & Long-Term Durability

Bellingham's urban forest is one of our community's greatest assets, but tree roots are also a leading cause of sidewalk damage. Mature street trees in neighborhoods like the Lettered Streets, Fairhaven, and Columbia regularly lift and crack sidewalks as roots expand. The City's Urban Forestry program works to balance tree preservation with pedestrian safety.

When replacing sidewalks near street trees, we employ several strategies:

Root pruning coordination with City arborists when necessary
Slightly elevated sidewalk sections to accommodate future root growth
Root barriers in some situations to redirect root growth
Adequate base preparation to provide drainage and reduce heaving pressure
Flexible section joints that accommodate minor movement without creating trip hazards

Concrete Specifications for Bellingham's Climate

The marine climate of Whatcom County subjects concrete to freeze-thaw cycles, constant moisture exposure, and de-icing salt applications during winter weather. Our sidewalk, curb, and gutter concrete mixes are designed for this exposure with:

Minimum 3,000 PSI compressive strength (often 3,500-4,000 PSI for durability)
Air entrainment (5-7% air content) for freeze-thaw resistance
Proper water-cement ratio for reduced permeability
Quality aggregates suitable for exterior exposure

We also ensure proper curing practices, which are critical in Bellingham's climate. Concrete placed during our rainy season requires protection from excess water, while summer placements need adequate moisture retention for proper strength development.

Serving Bellingham Neighborhoods & Whatcom County

We install sidewalks, curbs, and gutters throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County—from historic neighborhoods requiring sensitive replacements to new developments needing complete infrastructure installation. Our crews understand the varying requirements across jurisdictions: City of Bellingham standards, Whatcom County road department specifications, and individual city requirements in Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and Everson.

Every sidewalk and curb project includes coordination with local authorities, proper permitting, and installations that meet or exceed code requirements. We're fully licensed and insured in Washington State with L&I contractor registration, liability coverage, and a proven track record of quality public infrastructure work.

Ready to discuss your sidewalk, curb, or gutter project? Whether you're responding to a City violation notice, upgrading your commercial property frontage, or installing new infrastructure for a development project, we'll provide a detailed estimate and handle all aspects of permitting and coordination. Contact us today to schedule a site evaluation and receive a written proposal for your Bellingham-area concrete infrastructure project.

Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free estimate — we serve all of Bellingham and Whatcom County.