The document outlines New York City's sidewalk management policies and property owner responsibilities. It notes that the NYC Administrative Code requires property owners to maintain and repair sidewalks abutting their properties. If defects are found, the property owner will be notified and given time to make repairs before the city performs repairs and bills the owner. The document provides information on inspection procedures, permit requirements, and repair timelines.

1. Sidewalk Management
New York City
Department of Transportation
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner

2. What Are My Sidewalk Responsibilities?
The duties and obligations of property owners with respect to
sidewalks next to their property are outlined in:
• The New York City Charter, Section 2904 and
• The New York City Administrative Code, Section 19-152
In September of 2003, the New York City Administrative Code was amended
to include the following local laws:
Local Law 49 – Sub Section 7-210
States that the City shall not be liable for any injuries caused by
defective sidewalk, other than sidewalk abutting 1, 2 or 3 family owner
occupied, residential properties.
Local Law 54 – Sub Section 7-211
Requires that property owners have a policy of personal injury and
property damage liability insurance for each property.
Sub Section 7-212
Authorizes the City to make payments where the property owner is
uninsured.

3. DOT’s Sidewalk Management Outreach Team
• Notifies property owners of sidewalk defects
• Assigns contractors to make repairs to defective sidewalks
• These efforts reduce liability for both property owners and the City.

4. Square Footage of NYC Sidewalks by Property Type
City Property
23,381,730 4% 4 Plus Properties
193,347,900 29%
1, 2, 3 Family
Properties
440,317,207 67%
4 Plus Properties 1, 2, 3 Family Properties City Property

5. Square Footage of Sidewalk Constructed By
The City Annually
City Property
23,381,730 5.02%
1, 2, 3 Family
Properties
440,317,207 94.55%
Annual Construction
2,000,000 0.43%
1, 2, 3 Family Properties City Property Annual Construction

6. Sidewalk Inspections are conducted where:
• Complaints of sidewalk defects are reported via 311, written
correspondence, telephone calls, electronic mail, etc.
• Claims are filed with the NYC Comptroller’s Office
• Dangerous or hazardous conditions are reported

7. If a sidewalk defect is found, the property owner will receive:
• A Preliminary Inspection Report
• A Notice of Violation
• Documentation explaining owner’s responsibilities

9. “Preliminary Inspection Report” (P.I.R.)

10. Broken Sidewalk

11. Trip Hazard

12. Improper Slope & Trip Hazard

13. Broken, Undermined & Trip Hazard

14. To REPAIR A SIDEWALK, the property owner must:
• Hire a private contractor who will apply for and obtain a permit from the DOT Permit
office in the borough:
Manhattan: 55 Water St. – Concourse Level
(212) 839-9647
Bronx: 1400 Williamsbridge Rd. –2nd Flr.
(212) 748-6648
Brooklyn: 16 Court St. – Rm. 1503
(718) 222-7227
Queens: 120-55 Queens Blvd. – Rm. 240
(718) 286-2739
Staten Island: 10 Richmond Terr. – Rm. 427
(718) 816-2367

15. Request a DISMISSAL INSPECTION from DOT’s Highway
Inspection & Quality Assurance Office (HIQA) in your borough
Manhattan: – 59 Maiden Lane, 34th Flr.
(212) 839-2236
Bronx: 1400 Williamsbridge Rd. – 2nd Flr.
(212) 748-6610
Brooklyn: 16 Court St. – Rm. 1503
(718) 222-7232
Queens: 120-55 Queens Blvd. – Rm. G210
(718) 286-2790
Staten Island: 10 Richmond Terr. – Rm. G25
(718) 816-2352

16. CITY SIDEWALK REPAIR
After the formal notification period (45 days), the City may make
repairs to sidewalks, abutting:
• 1, 2, and 3 family, owner occupied properties;
• City-owned properties, and
• Properties in the scope of Capital Reconstruction
projects.
NOTES:
Department of Transportation and Department of Design and Construction
personnel will photograph and mark the sidewalk to be replaced prior to
construction.
The property owner will be billed for the repair and the violation
will be removed.

17. Visit DOT’s website: www.nyc.gov/dot
Government Services
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