Most people assume sidewalks are the city’s problem.
They’re public, after all.
But responsibility isn’t always that simple. And when someone trips, falls, or crashes a bike near a home, things can get confusing fast.
- Who fixes it?
- Who’s liable?
- And what actually counts as a hazard?
Who Usually Maintains the Sidewalk?
In many cities, the sidewalk sits on public land but is maintained by the adjacent property owner. That means the homeowner. Sometimes the business owner. Sometimes a landlord…