Is the sidewalk part of your property or the city in NYC?

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When in New York, there is one thing that you cannot escape, and that is the presence of sidewalks. They stretch for thousands of miles collectively. You would find it in all the major streets, facilitating pedestrians and offering easy access to homes, businesses, and shops on foot.

Who owns the sidewalks in NYC?

The city of New York owns the sidewalks, curbs, and roadways. In 2003, the city transferred the duty of sidewalk maintenance to the property owners adjacent to the sidewalk. Now, the property owners are responsible for maintaining their sidewalks and ensuring they are safe for pedestrians.

Responsibility for Safe and Accessible Sidewalks

According to the New York City law, property owners are responsible for necessary sidewalk repairs to keep it safe for pedestrians. They must ensure that the sidewalks are free of trip and fall hazards.

Moreover, the sidewalks should be clear of debris, snow, and ice. The property owners install, construct, repave, and repair/reconstruct sidewalks following the NYC Department of Transportation specifications at their own expense.

When the City Takes Over Sidewalk Maintenance

Even though the NYC is no longer responsible for sidewalk maintenance or trip and fall accidents, there are a few exceptions. According to the NYC Sidewalk Law, owners of 1, 2, and 3- 3-family homes, as long as they occupy and use the property residentially, are exempted from sidewalk maintenance or any trip or fall accident that occurs on the sidewalk adjacent to these properties.

Failing to Maintain Your Sidewalk

The DOT inspects the sidewalks and notifies the property owner if it is deemed unsafe for pedestrians or hinders the city’s accessibility standards. Failing to maintain the sidewalks leads to physical damage and trip hazards, such as deep cracks, potholes, and sinking or dislodged concrete slabs. This increases the chances of pedestrians falling or tripping over them and causing injuries.

The DOT ensures that the sidewalks comply with the City’s safety code. If the sidewalk is in poor condition and poses a risk to pedestrian safety, the DOT issues a violation notice to the property owners. 

The notice explains the nature of the violation and the required repairs. The property owner has to make the necessary repairs to get the violation removed.

However, ignoring the violation notice and failing prompt repair has legal and financial consequences. The City may hire private sidewalk construction firms to get the repairs and bill the property owners for the cost.

Finding Sidewalk Repair Companies in NYC

New York has a huge sidewalk network. Therefore, there is no shortage of sidewalk repair companies in the city. The key is finding a qualified sidewalk contractor for sidewalk repair.  

Here are a few factors to help you out find a sidewalk repair company for the job:

  • Experience:  Consider the contractor’s industrial experience. Ensure they have been in the business for more than five years.

  • Insurance: Ensure that the sidewalk repair company has insurance and offers coverage in the event of an accident. Also verify the insurance policy from the insurance provider.

  • Compare Quotes: Sidewalk contractors will quote your price for the project when you meet with them. Compare quotes with different repair contractors to make an informed decision. 


  • Check Online Reviews: Nowadays, you can know if a product or service is reliable or worth the money by checking online reviews. Companies also share client feedback on their website.


  • See the Company Portfolio: Before hiring, ask the potential contractors to present you with the company portfolio or the jobs they have done recently. Most companies share it on their websites or social media.


  • Certifications & Licenses: Concrete companies get certifications and licenses from federal and State governments to legally operate in the country. Always check the legal documents and hire licensed sidewalk repair companies like edenconstructionny.com and rest assured of a timely and professional service. 

 

Final words

Despite owning the sidewalks and curbs, New York delegates the task of sidewalk maintenance repair to the property owners. They must ensure that the sidewalks are clean and free of hazards, debris, or other defects that hinders access or endanger pedestrian safety.

The DOT ensures that sidewalks abide by the sidewalk rules and regulations. Neglecting sidewalk maintenance could result in a DOT violation. Ignoring a violation could be costly to property owners as the contractors hired by the state could be expensive. It is wise to stay on top of sidewalk repair and maintenance and hiring professional sidewalk contractors in NY.