ADA Facilities - Design & Inspection Standards and Guidelines

Public Works uses the following accessibility standards and guidelines in the design and review of construction documents for pedestrian facilities constructed in the public right of way.

EDDS Image

Engineering Design & Development Standards, May 1, 2020, Snohomish County Public Works – Snohomish County’s Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) ensure that pedestrian facilities constructed in the public right-of-way meet the requirements of the ADA and additional access standards that reflect the values of the local community. EDDS governs all new construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of pedestrian facilities located in county right-of-way, whether occurring under permit or franchise. These standards apply to both public and private projects.

Accessible Public Rights of Way Logo

Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights of Way (PROWAG) (PDF), November 23, 2005, U.S. Access Board – Although the draft PROWAG has not been adopted as a standard, the Federal Highway Administration recommends that the 2005 Revised Draft Guidelines be applied to projects when the ADA or Section 504 requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 do not fully address a design or construction situation.

MEF Design Review Policy Image

MEF Design Review Policy & Procedures (PDF) – The purpose of the MEF Design Review Policy and Procedure is to ensure proper review and documentation of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way that cannot be constructed to fully comply with the requirements of the ADA due to existing constraints. It is also used to ensure that any features or elements that can be made fully compliant shall be made fully compliant.

ADA Decision Matrix Image

ADA Decision Matrix (PDF) – The intent of the ADA Decision Matrix is to provide consistent design guidance to engineers, contractors, and inspectors working in the public rights-of-way of Snohomish County on issues where the ADA is silent, vague or unclear, or where the County requirements are more stringent than the requirements of the ADA.

ADA Measuring Guidelines Image

ADA Measuring Guidelines (PDF) – The purpose of the ADA Measuring Guidelines is to provide consistent guidance to engineers, contractors, and inspectors about how the County measures pedestrian facilities so that they can be evaluated for compliance with ADA standards.