“I was like, how is this my responsibility?” Walker told FOX23 Investigative Reporter Janna Clark of the buckling sidewalk, which he says is the result of a large tree. “I didn’t understand … We pay the city.”
He repeatedly tried reaching out to the city via both phone calls and emails to get answers to no avail. After two days, he went down to the City Hall, where he was told, point blank, that he’d need to remove the tree.
He told FOX23 that he was also told he could potentially be responsible for replacing the entire stretch of sidewalk, not just the section surrounding the tree. Moreover, he’d need to obtain a $700 permit — which could take 60 to 90 days, long after his 14-day deadline would pass — before making any repairs.
Are sidewalks the responsibility of the city or homeowners?
Clark reviewed Tulsa city code and found that, indeed, sidewalks, walkways, stairs and driveways that serve private properties tend to be the responsibilities of the owners of those properties. They’re in charge of maintaining and repairing them.
“All sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous conditions,” according to the City of Tulsa’s Rehabilitation Standards.
But the City of Tulsa reportedly told FOX23 that the 14-day compliance period is a “standard timeline” that’s used to encourage property owners to take action. As long as the city can see that a homeowner is doing just that, “that’s all [they] ask for,” the city said.
Nevertheless, Walker spent three days replacing the damaged sidewalk himself, removing the concrete and tree roots, and pouring and shaping fresh concrete around the tree — an endeavor that cost him an estimated $1,200 to $1,500 — sans permit due to concerns about the tight timeline. Fortunately, a city inspector approved it.
What to do if your sidewalks need care
A cracked or uneven sidewalk may look like the city’s problem, but in many U.S. communities, like Tulsa, the responsibility falls on the property owner whose land borders the sidewalk. The rules, however, vary considerably by city and state.
In New York City, for example, property owners generally must install, repair and maintain the sidewalk adjoining their property — even though the sidewalks themselves are owned by the city. And, if the Department of Transportation finds a hazardous condition, it can issue a sidewalk violation. Owners generally have 75 days to make the repair; if they don’t, the city can arrange the work and bill the owner, potentially placing a lien on the property.
