Who is Responsible For Sidewalk Repair?
There are nearly 12,000 miles of sidewalks in New York City. Damaged and cracked sidewalks are an annoyance and may be the primary cause of mishaps and injuries. With the help of a well-maintained sidewalk, pedestrians can walk, drive strollers, and use wheelchairs safely and smoothly. Creating a safe environment for pedestrians is a top priority for the NYC Department of Transportation.
Who is really in charge of fixing sidewalks in New York City? Let us guide you through some great sidewalk repair tips.
Responsibility for NYC Sidewalk Repair: Who Bears It?
Sidewalks are essential to the daily lives of New York City residents because they give pedestrians safe routes. However, it's crucial to understand who is in charge of fixing sidewalks that sustain damage or become dangerous.
In New York City, property owners and the city government share responsibilities for fixing sidewalks. Let's examine the details and see who is responsible for what.
What Are The Property Owner’s Responsibilities?
Domestic Property:
The responsibility for maintaining the sidewalks in front of single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes falls on the owners of those properties. This means that if you own a house or a small residential building, you have a duty to keep the sidewalks in front of your property safe and in good shape.
Commercial Property
Depending on the terms of the lease agreement, the owner of an office, apartment building, or retail space may be responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of their buildings. It is therefore vital to review the lease agreement to determine who is responsible for replacing or repairing the sidewalks in front of your property.
The City Government's Responsibility To Maintain Sidewalks
Trees Roots
Street trees and their roots can harm sidewalks, and the government of NYC is responsible for repairing such damage. In the City of New York, the Parks Department is in charge of repairing tree root damage to sidewalks. You can notify the city's Parks Department about a tree's roots elevating a walkway so they can assess and fix it if required.
Sidewalks Adjacent to Property Owned by the City
The city government is in charge of making repairs if the sidewalk is close to any properties owned by the city, such as parks, schools, or school buildings. The appropriate department, like the Department of Transportation or the Parks Department, is in charge of making these repairs in order to ensure the public sidewalks' safety and accessibility.
Moreover, the NYC sidewalk program is a facility provided to residents to help them with their queries and complaints regarding sidewalk repair and maintenance.
The NYC Sidewalk Repair Process
If you find an issue on a sidewalk in New York City, you must notify the Department of Transportation right away. Let us talk about the sidewalk repair procedure below.
Research
The city's Parks Department or the Department of Transportation (DOT), will investigate the reported sidewalk issue to determine the appropriate solution and evaluate its severity.
Repair Notice
If sidewalk maintenance is the duty of the property owners, the DOT may send out a notice specifying the necessary repairs and a completion date. In NYC, sidewalk repairs must be made within the allotted period by the property owner. You can get your DOT sidewalk violation removed by sidewalk experts.
Repairs Managed by the City
If the sidewalks are under the responsibility of the New York City administration, the relevant department will arrange for the repairs. The timeline for these repairs can vary based on workload and prioritization.
The Risk of Ignoring Sidewalk Repairs
More than ten years ago, New York City sidewalk liability was transferred from the city to private property owners. Since then, the number of lawsuits for negligence involving sidewalks has rapidly increased.
If sidewalks are not maintained, they can become ugly. Sidewalk trip risks put pedestrians on a damaged sidewalk at risk. The most effective defense, in this case, is the ability to hire the best sidewalk repair contractors who are experienced in this field.
Accidents and Injuries
Anyone walking on your cracked or raised sidewalk runs the risk of tripping and falling. Likewise, larger cracks in sidewalks may provide a greater risk to pedestrian safety. Large, deep cracks may present a trip risk. A damaged sidewalk can cause a risk to young kids, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Lawsuits
For both residential and commercial properties, lawsuits are a big issue. Someone might trip and fall on your damaged walkway, possibly suffering severe injuries, and you wouldn't be able to stop them from suing you. Seeking sidewalk crack repair is far less expensive than filing a more expensive lawsuit.
Damage to the Structure
If you ignore uneven sidewalks for an extended period, you could be sued for carelessness and run the danger of water intrusion, structural damage, and property devaluation. Even though it might not be a pressing issue, it could affect how much your house is worth if you decide to sell. An unappealing effect on the curb appeal of your house could result from cracked concrete walkways.
Penalties for Neglected Sidewalk Repair
The city may step in to address sidewalk issues if property owners fail to do so within the allowed period. Following that, the property owner will be charged for both the repairs and any additional fines.
To protect pedestrian safety, adherence to the city government's sidewalk regulations is crucial. Quick fixes and routine upkeep improve the community's quality of life.
To ensure the timely replacement of damaged sidewalks, the city has levied fines on property owners who neglect their maintenance responsibilities. If a property owner neglects to fix sidewalks promptly, the city may step in and fix them. The expense of the repairs as well as any additional fines will thereafter be the property owner's responsibility.
Conclusion
Property owners and the NYC government both share responsibility for maintaining a sidewalk. By understanding who is responsible for sidewalk repair, you can save pedestrians from major accidents and injuries.