Responsibility for maintenance and repair of streets, sidewalks, and alleyways is a question that often arises when they fall into disrepair. Municipal codes and ordinances governing these obligations vary greatly—usually placing responsibility for streets and alleyways on the municipality and responsibility for maintenance of sidewalks on the adjacent property owner—whether an individual, a business, or a homeowners’ association.
But sometimes municipal codes or ordinances place responsibility for maintenance of all of these driveways and walkways on the municipality.
A property owner’s failure to maintain or repair a sidewalk, for example, as required by municipal code, may result in the city issuing a citation for a code violation, with a fine.
