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Troy explains sidewalk repair policy: homeowners generally responsible; city inspects on a 12-year rotation
Summary
The city clarified that homeowners are generally responsible for sidewalk defects in front of their property; the public-works department inspects sidewalks on about a 12-year rotation and runs a roughly $1 million sidewalk program.
Public Works staff explained Troy's sidewalk program July 28 after a resident asked why property owners receive notices and invoices for sidewalk repairs.
Kurt (public-works staff) said ordinances were revised in 2002 and 2008 and that the city's approach assumes residential sidewalks adjacent to private property will be used primarily by that property's residents. Consequently, homeowners are normally responsible for defects in the sidewalk in front of their address; exceptions include corner lots, sidewalks along major thoroughfares and when damage is caused by city-owned trees or city utility/staging activities.
Kurt said the sidewalk inspection program runs on an approximately 12-year rotation and that the sidewalk capital program averages about $1 million; the city typically reimburses 40% to 60% of that cost back to the city when repairs are on city-responsible areas. When residents report an urgent trip hazard outside routine inspection, the city will perform a temporary patch and place the repair on a scattered list for future permanent work.
If a resident prefers to hire their own contractor, Kurt said work over 50 square feet requires a city permit and inspection and a two-year warranty is required from the contracting firm. The city provides a competitively bid contractor option that includes warranty management and volume pricing. The council suggested the city better publicize sidewalk responsibility and payment options.
