Ohio Revised Code Chapter 729.01 allows a municipal corporation to require property owners to repair sidewalk and curbing abutting their property. Like many other municipalities throughout the state, Westerville has formalized this maintenance requirement through Chapter 909.01 of Westerville's Codified Ordinances.
For the time being, the City may repair a property owner's sidewalk at no cost to the owner, upon request, if it meets the City's Sidewalk Repair Criteria. These repairs will be made in a timeframe determined at the City's sole discretion. Sidewalk repairs will generally be completed in the order the request is received and may also be completed on a worst condition first basis. How the sidewalk is repaired will be determined by the City and may involved complete removal and replacement, grinding of vertical offsets, or slab lifting.
PLEASE NOTE: Although the City may consider repairing a property owner's sidewalk, this is no way mitigates the property owner's sole legal liability for any sidewalk condition that causes injury, whether or not the sidewalk meets the City's criteria for replacement.
Sidewalk repair funding is limited and the City may halt or cease its participation in repairing private sidewalks at any point. Inclusion on the City's repair list does not guarantee future repairs.
Property owners that do not want to wait for the City to perform their sidewalk repair may repair or replace at it at their own cost and timeframe. This requires the property owner to apply for a residential Sidewalk and Approach Permit application (download the residential sidewalk and approach permit prior to performing any work. This permit is free of charge if less than 200 square feet of sidewalk is being repaired (approximately 8 sidewalk panels). To calculate the square feet measure the length of repair in feet multiplied by the sidewalk width. The permit includes the City's material, minimum thickness and other requirements for repair.
Sidewalk repair is a vital part of neighborhood pride. Property owners with questions about the program should contact the Sidewalk line at (614) 901-6757. Questions or comments may also be emailed to permits@westerville.org.
