Committee backs ordinance to require adjacent property owners to maintain sidewalks in county right of way

The Engineering and Transportation Committee moved Bill 16-25 forward with a favorable recommendation to require maintenance of sidewalks, tree lawns, curbs and private approaches within county rights of way by the abutting property owner or occupant.

Councilman Tanner and Skye Meaders of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning & Growth said the proposed ordinance is intended to bring county code into alignment with common municipal practice and give the county an enforcement mechanism where sidewalks in the public right of way are left uncleared or create hazards. Meaders told the committee the ordinance would not create a proactive county sidewalk-cleaning program, but would provide a complaint-driven mechanism enforced by code enforcement (and possibly reassigned to Infrastructure Planning & Growth staff).

Committee members asked several clarifying questions about scope: whether the measure applies only to unincorporated areas (it does), how the county defines right of way (varies by road — e.g., 40 feet from centerline), whether tree lawns and drive approaches are included (the proposed language covers private approaches, curbs, tree lawns and sidewalks), and whether the county would assume maintenance responsibility when roadway projects physically alter those features (presenters said county roadway projects typically repair or rebuild impacted curbs/approaches as part of construction).

Members pressed for details on enforcement and penalties; the proposed timeline in the ordinance would require removal of snow/ice within 24 hours of accumulation. The committee did not set a fine amount during the meeting and the county attorney indicated legal review and policy design remain. The committee approved the ordinance on a 3–2 voice/show-of-hands vote and forwarded it favorably to the full council.