DIY Curb Ramp Inspection
Walk your own property and find out what is wrong with your curb ramps before somebody else tells you. Thirteen lessons built on the 2025 California Building Code, Chapter 11B, and the 2010 ADA Standards, with a field manual, an inspection checklist and measurement sheets to take outside with you.
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Course Documents — Print These First
Your field manual, inspection checklist and measurement sheets. Print the checklist and one measurement sheet per curb ramp before you go outside.
Your field manual, inspection checklist and measurement sheets. Print the checklist and one measurement sheet per curb ramp before you go outside.
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A short welcome, and an introduction to Alex, who narrates the course.
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Lesson 1: Before You Walk Outside
What this course covers, the two rulebooks that apply in California, your toolkit, and how to read a dimension in the code.
What this course covers, the two rulebooks that apply in California, your toolkit, and how to read a dimension in the code.
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Lesson 2: What Am I Standing On?
Telling a curb ramp from a blended transition from a ramp. Get this wrong and every measurement afterward is judged against the wrong limit.
Telling a curb ramp from a blended transition from a ramp. Get this wrong and every measurement afterward is judged against the wrong limit.
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Lesson 3: The Top of the Ramp
The landing at the top, and the condition of the surface underfoot — level changes, firmness, and openings.
The landing at the top, and the condition of the surface underfoot — level changes, firmness, and openings.
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Lesson 4: The Run
Running slope, cross slope, clear width, grade breaks and surface condition. The nine-point method that catches what a single reading misses.
Running slope, cross slope, clear width, grade breaks and surface condition. The nine-point method that catches what a single reading misses.
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Lesson 5: The Sides
Flared sides, returned curbs, and where a curb ramp is not allowed to sit — including the access aisle beside an accessible space.
Flared sides, returned curbs, and where a curb ramp is not allowed to sit — including the access aisle beside an accessible space.
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Lesson 6: The Bottom
Counter slope, flush transitions, and the clear space required at the bottom of a diagonal curb ramp.
Counter slope, flush transitions, and the clear space required at the bottom of a diagonal curb ramp.
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Lesson 7: Parallel Ramps and the Turning Space
How a parallel curb ramp works, what to measure in the turning space, and the exemption that protects older ramps.
How a parallel curb ramp works, what to measure in the turning space, and the exemption that protects older ramps.
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Lesson 8: Blended Transitions
A California-only element the federal standards do not even name. What makes one, what to measure, and where the code goes quiet.
A California-only element the federal standards do not even name. What makes one, what to measure, and where the code goes quiet.
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Lesson 9: Detectable Warnings, Part One — The Product
What truncated domes have to be, what wear and damage to look for, and the product documentation to ask for.
What truncated domes have to be, what wear and damage to look for, and the product documentation to ask for.
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Lesson 10: Detectable Warnings, Part Two — Placement
Where domes are required, where they are prohibited, and how to tell the difference on your own property.
Where domes are required, where they are prohibited, and how to tell the difference on your own property.
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Lesson 11: Drop-offs and Warning Curbs
When a drop beside a curb ramp has to be identified, how high the warning curb must be, and the four places this shows up.
When a drop beside a curb ramp has to be identified, how high the warning curb must be, and the four places this shows up.
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Lesson 12: Is One Even Required Here?
How to find a curb ramp that should be there and isn't — by walking the paths people actually use, not the curbs.
How to find a curb ramp that should be there and isn't — by walking the paths people actually use, not the curbs.
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Lesson 13: You Found a Problem. Now What?
Sorting what you found into three piles, and knowing which ones need a professional before anything gets built.
Sorting what you found into three piles, and knowing which ones need a professional before anything gets built.
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Measure It Yourself
Nine readings on the run, and where to put the level. The failures that matter are invisible — a two percent cross slope looks flat. You measure it, or you do not know.
Know Which Rulebook Applies
In California the ADA and the state Building Code both apply at once, and the stricter one governs. Every requirement in this course gives you both numbers.
Take It Outside With You
A field manual, an inspection checklist with the code section on every line, and measurement sheets with a box for every reading. Print one per curb ramp.