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Sidewalks: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- I
have raised/uneven sidewalks in front of my house. How can I get them corrected?
- Are
the sidewalks the responsibility of the owner or the City?
- If
the City comes out and looks at my sidewalk, will they replace it for free
Why should I pay for any part of the sidewalk repair?
- How long
does repairing/replacing the sidewalk take?
- I
paid 50-50 with the City last year to replace my sidewalk, and now there’s
a big crack in it. What can I do?
- Why are you re-designing
the sidewalks?
- Crews
are replacing the sidewalks a couple of blocks away. When will they replace
mine?
- Crews
are repairing sidewalks on the neighboring street, can I get mine repaired?
1. I
have raised/uneven sidewalks in front of my house. How can I get them corrected?
The City will respond to requests for temporary repairs to sidewalks. Please
go to the Report Problems web page and
submit a report. The city will send an inspector out to evaluate the situation.
2. Are
the sidewalks the responsibility of the owner or the City?
The City ordinance places the responsibility of the sidewalk maintenance
on the adjacent property owner, unless the damage is caused by the City.
3. If
the City comes out and looks at my sidewalk, will they replace it for free?
Why should I pay for any part of the sidewalk repair?
The City ordinance places the responsibility of the sidewalk maintenance
on the adjacent property owner, unless the damage is caused by the City.
The City has two programs to repair sidewalks (see Sidewalk
Maintenance and Repair). The first program
is moving block by block throughout the City, taking approximately 20 years
to complete a cycle. A one-inch defect is the criteria used to initiate a
repair under this program. If your sidewalk meets the one-inch defect criteria,
it will be included in the program when the program moves to your area. If
you choose to wait for this program, the City will perform temporary repairs
at no cost to you. If you do not like the appearance of the temporary repairs,
you can participate in a 50/50 Cost Shared Repair
Program, which will schedule the repair as soon as you pay 50% of the
cost estimate.
4. How long
does repairing/replacing the sidewalk take?
A typical repair will take 10 days from start to finish.
5. I
paid 50-50 with the City last year to replace my sidewalk, and now there’s
a big crack in it. What can I do?
Please go to the Report Problems web
page and submit a report. The city will send an inspector out to evaluate
the situation. The cracked sidewalk may be replaceable under the project
warranty. City staff will advise you of the results of the inspection.
6. Why are you re-designing
the sidewalks? Why can’t they go back in the same original straight
design?
City Council has directed staff to provide an urban forest consisting of
large shade trees. These trees require a certain amount of space to grow
without causing damage to the adjacent infrastructure. The City sometimes
needs to re-design the right-of-way to best utilize the space, allowing for
large shade trees, sidewalks for pedestrians, and curbs and gutters for storm
water flow.
7. Crews
are replacing the sidewalks a couple of blocks away. When will they replace
mine?
You should have received a notice if sidewalk repairs are planned in your
neighborhood and in front of your property. If you received an advisory notice,
you were made aware of the plans for work on your street. If you have not
received a notice, there may be no work planned on your street. Please go
to the Report Problems web page and
submit a report. The city will send an inspector out to evaluate the situation.
8. Crews
are repairing sidewalks on the neighboring street, can I get mine repaired?
You should have received a notice if sidewalk repairs are planned in your
neighborhood and in front of your property. If you received an advisory notice,
you were made aware of the plans for work on your street. If you have not
received a notice, there may be no work planned on your street. Please go
to the Report Problems web page and
submit a report. The city will send an inspector out to evaluate the situation.
If you want to participate in the 50/50 Cost Shared
Repair Program the repair will be scheduled as soon as you pay 50% of
the cost estimate.
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