Sandstone Curb
Replacement Standards
Division of Infrastructure Management
SCOPE OF CURB REPLACEMENT (Funding Dependent) – Sandstone Curb
Section I - Purpose:
Sandstone curb may be replaced only if existing curb is no longer functional. The purpose of curb is to
promote stormwater drainage in line with the original design of the roadway, as well as to eliminate any
infiltration of stormwater into the brick pavement or subgrade. Curb also fulfills two secondary purposes
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Pedestrian safety, it provides a barrier between a pedestrian and moving traffic.
Illegal parking barrier, it prevents motorists from easily parking beyond the edge of the
roadway, on grassy areas or sidewalk.
As funding is limited, these secondary purposes will rarely be used as rationale for sandstone curb
replacement. Aesthetic standards are only addressed if there are drainage or infiltration issues. Curb is
to be replaced only as needed in specific locations.
Section II - General Guidelines:
When funding is available, the following criteria shall be used in the determination of curb replacement
locations:
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Sandstone curb will be used in city of Columbus designated historical districts. Concrete curb
may be used in these districts only at radial portions of curb located at intersections, or as
needed to accommodate the construction of curb ramps.
Replacement of sandstone curb in areas not in historical districts is discouraged. Property
owners who wish to install new sandstone curb to replace existing are not permitted to utilize
the city’s stockpile of sandstone curb, nor will they be eligible for the city’s curb reimbursement
program.
Curb reveal: curbs should not be replaced solely due to low curb reveal. The only time this
should be done is if an increase in reveal will enhance the drainage or structural properties of
the curb, or if curb function for pedestrian safety or for barrier to parking outside of roadway is
needed.
During the evaluation process, utilize information provided by the Road Surface Drainage
Engineer to investigate areas having previously been identified as having drainage issues.
Driveways and mountable curb and gutter pan at driveways should be replaced if their condition
has deteriorated to such an extent that drainage is inhibited. These sections are the
responsibility of the property owner. Approach shall consist of driveway and associated returns.
See Driveway Apron Illustration below.
Minimum curb replacement length: All replacements shall be minimum 4’ in length.
Curb (and gutter pan):
Property Owner
Responsibility
Curb and Gutter: City of
Columbus Responsibility
Driveway Apron Illustration
Curb and Gutter: City of
Columbus Responsibility
Section III - General Procedure:
The following process shall be used if a property owner desires to replace sandstone curb:
1. The property owner applies for a right-of-way permit for sandstone curb replacement.
2. If the address is located in an official Columbus historical district, the owner is granted tentative
approval for sandstone curb replacement.
3. If the address is not located in an historical district, the owner is discouraged from attempting to
use sandstone. The owner has two options:
a. Sandstone curb option: If the owner wishes to use sandstone, he may do so. However,
the owner will not be able to use city of Columbus stockpile of sandstone curb, and the
owner is not eligible for the curb reimbursement program.
b. Concrete curb option: The owner can replace existing sandstone with concrete curb. In
this case, the owner is eligible for the curb reimbursement program.
4. If owner has been granted tentative approval for sandstone curb replacement, a full review of
the location will be done by the right-of-way inspector. Refer to Section IV – Inspection Criteria,
for details of process.
5. If inspection determines that curb does not meet criteria for replacement, the property owner
may still replace sandstone curb. However, they may not utilize the City of Columbus sandstone
curb stockpile, nor are they eligible for the curb reimbursement program.
6. If inspection determines that curb does meet criteria for replacement, the property owner will
be permitted to utilize the City of Columbus sandstone curb stockpile. The owner’s contractor
can pick up curb needed after the following information has been sent to the yard manager:
a. Owner address
b. Name of contractor
c. Length of curb permitted to be drawn from the stockpile.
Section IV - Inspection Criteria
Curb
1. Curb missing or temporary curb installed: Note these locations.
2. Cracks: Note size and number of cracks that visibly extend through the height of the reveal.
Note if adjacent sections of curb have shifted along plane of a given crack or have created
openings greater than 0.5”.
3. Deterioration: Identify deteriorated areas where visible deterioration depth is greater than
one half the thickness of the curb. Identify areas where material is loose or easily detached.
4. Offset or shifted curb: Identify sections of curb that have shifted from original alignment by
more than ½”.
5. Planal deterioration of sandstone curb: Identify planal deterioration extending the height of
the curb reveal for sandstone curb.
6. Reveal: Identify locations where reveal is less than 4”.
7. Vegetation and silt: Clear vegetation and silt from curb and identify any deficiencies. The
presence of vegetation does not in and of itself indicate a need for curb replacement.
Section V - Prioritization Process:
1. Street structural damage noted due to curb and gutter deficiencies.
a. Inspection Items: Severely deteriorated curb; significant shifting of curb out of original
alignment
b. Recommendation: Replace curb sections exhibiting this damage.
c. Priority: Level 1a.
Curb settling and roll has caused structural
failure and has allowed shifting of street
brick that rely on the curb to support the
units. This is an example of priority 1a.
Note: Curb replacement may not be
required, however, if existing sandstone
curb can be properly reset.
Extremely deteriorated curb is showing
signs of structural failure, as evidenced by
movement of brick pavers. This is a Priority
1a situation.
2. Drainage issues attributable to curb deficiencies
a. Inspection Items: Severely deteriorated curb, significant shifting of curb out of original
alignment.
b. Recommendation: Replace sections of curb adjacent to drainage problem areas.
c. Priority: Level 1a.
Curb exhibits planal deterioration and
appears to have structural failure.
Roadway surface has collapsed as a result,
creating a low area for Stormwater to
collect. This is priority 1a.
Curb failure has resulted in creation of a
barrier to Stormwater flow. This is priority
1a.
3. Missing curb or temporary asphalt curb in place.
a. Inspection Item: Missing curb or temporary asphalt curb.
b. Recommendation: Where curb is missing, replace open section with sandstone curb. In
sections where temporary curb has been replaced, remove temporary curb and replace
with sandstone curb.
c. Priority: Level 1b.
In this photograph, a section of curb had
been removed in the past and was
replaced temporarily with asphalt. This is
an example of a Priority 1b situation
Curb is completely missing at this location.
However, structural integrity of the street
appears satisfactory, and there do not
appear to be any drainage issues. This is
an example of a priority 1b situation.
4. Curb deficiencies noted – no effect on structural/drainage serviceability of street
a. Inspection Items: Two or more significant cracks (0.5” width or more) in a 4’ or a 5’
integral sandstone curb section. Deteriorated curb where damage extends throughout
full depth of reveal; Visible planal damage for sandstone curb extending the full height
of the reveal.
b. Recommendation: Replace sandstone curb.
c. Priority: Level 2.
In this photograph, curb is severely
chipped at butt joint between two units.
However, there are no structural or
drainage issues. This is priority level 2.
Curb shown exhibits extreme deterioration
along layers of sandstone, also known as
planal deterioration. Curb is still
functional, however. This is priority level 2.
5. Pedestrian safety or parking issues.
a. Inspection items: Reveal less than 4”.
b. This should only be addressed if pedestrian safety or parking issues are to be specifically
addressed as part of curb replacement work.
c. Recommendation: Use only under specific circumstances. Generally will not apply
general maintenance curb replacement.
d. Priority: Level 3.
6. Aesthetics.
a. Inspection items: General appearance of curb. Chipped or damaged curb that has not
impaired its function, but has appearance issues.
b. Recommendation: Replacement not recommended.
c. Priority: Level 4.
This is an example of a curb priority 4, aesthetic
issue. Individual sections of curb show chipping
and there has been some shifting, but the
structural integrity of the curb unit is still intact,
and no replacement is necessary.
Chipping has occurred at the butt joint between
two sandstone units. However, curb is fully
functional and is structurally sound. This is an
example of a priority 4 aesthetic issue.
Section VI – Items to Include for Curb Replacement
Item 202.05 - Pavement, Walks, Steps, Gutters, Curbs, or Traffic Dividers Removed
Item 609 – Curbs
Item 659 – Seeding and Mulching
Item 413 – Crack Sealing, Hot Applied
ROW Access Permit
Application Submitted Curb Replacement: Existing
Sandstone Curb Present
N
Is the address located in an
official Columbus Historical
district?
Sandstone Curb
Replacement Process:
Private Contractors
Permit Office Recommendation: Property Owner
Replace Sandstone Curb with Concrete Curb.
Owner has two options:
Sandstone Curb Option: Owner replaces existing
sandstone curb with sandstone.
• Owner not granted access to city sandstone curb
stockpile.
• Owner not eligible for curb reimbursement
program
Y
Owner is granted tentative
approval to replace sandstone
curb
Concrete Curb Option: Owner replaces damaged
sandstone curb with concrete.
• Owner is eligible for curb reimbursement
program.
Y
FULL REVIEW:
Field Review: Permits Inspector
Note: During Field Review, Permits Inspector will note
damaged curb sections and determine lineal feet
eligible for replacement
Note: May require site visit or
assistance by Curb Program Engineer
Y
Does Curb Meet Replacement
Criteria?
Note: Curb Program Engineer May
Assist in Evaluation
N
Sandstone Curb not recommended for replacement.
• Owner not granted access to city sandstone
curb stockpile.
• Owner not eligible for curb reimbursement
program.
Y
Permits Inspector contacts Curb Program Engineer. Curb
Owner Approved to Replace
Sandstone Curb Sections as
Noted by Permits Inspector.
Note: Curb Program Engineer May
Assist in Evaluation
th
Program Engineer Notifies City Yard at 8181 25 .
Information given to yard supervisor:
1. Owner address
2. Name of contractor
3. Length of curb allowed to be drawn from
stockpile, if available.