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Default rule and exceptions
The abutting property owner must repair a damaged sidewalk on notice from the Department of Transportation, or the department repairs it and assesses the owner. Where City funding is identified and available, the City performs repairs on a prioritized basis, except damage caused by the owner.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sec. 138-14(d): "it is the obligation of the abutting property owner to repair such sidewalk upon notice from the department of transportation." If ignored: "the department of transportation is authorized to make such repairs and assess the abutting property owner for costs incurred." |
| City / public agency | The city performs discretionary repairs "upon a prioritized basis until the funding is exhausted" when funding exists and the damage isn't owner-caused, but per the same section "the absence of city funding shall not excuse the abutting property owner." No public cost-share program exists as of this research. |
| Exceptions | Where City funding is identified and available, the City performs repairs on a prioritized basis (not for owner-caused damage); ATLDOT's Sidewalk Repair on Major Streets project repairs sidewalks along high-priority corridors identified in the City's sidewalk inventory. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 3, 2026.
it is the obligation of the abutting property owner to repair such sidewalk upon notice from the department of transportation.
provided however that where funding is identified, applicable and available for implementation of repairs by the city, except where damage is determined to be directly attributable to action(s) of the abutting property owner or agents, contractors, or employees of the abutting property owner, shall be undertaken by the city upon a prioritized basis until the funding is exhausted.
the department of transportation is authorized to make such repairs and assess the abutting property owner for costs incurred.
the absence of city funding shall not excuse the abutting property owner.
Completion of sidewalk repairs along high priority corridors as identified in the city’s sidewalk inventory.
City rules rest on state law. Read Georgia's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Atlanta, GA?
The property owner. Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sec. 138-14(d): "it is the obligation of the abutting property owner to repair such sidewalk upon notice from the department of transportation." If ignored: "the department of transportation is authorized to make such repairs and assess the abutting property owner for costs incurred."
What does the city cover in Atlanta, GA?
The city performs discretionary repairs "upon a prioritized basis until the funding is exhausted" when funding exists and the damage isn't owner-caused, but per the same section "the absence of city funding shall not excuse the abutting property owner." No public cost-share program exists as of this research.
Are there exceptions in Atlanta, GA?
Where City funding is identified and available, the City performs repairs on a prioritized basis (not for owner-caused damage); ATLDOT's Sidewalk Repair on Major Streets project repairs sidewalks along high-priority corridors identified in the City's sidewalk inventory.
What is this based on for Atlanta, GA?
This verdict is sourced to Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sec. 138-14 (sidewalk repair duty, notice-and-bill mechanism) and 6 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sec. 138-14 (sidewalk repair duty, notice-and-bill mechanism)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Atlanta Code of Ordinances Ch.138official · research-cited · accessed 2026-08-19
- Atlanta Code of Ordinances § 138-13: Sidewalks: obligation of ownerordinance · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sec. 138-14 (sidewalk repair duty, notice-and-bill mechanism)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Atlanta Code of Ordinances Sec. 138-14 (sidewalk repair duty, notice-and-bill mechanism)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Sidewalk Repair on Major Streets - Atlanta Department of Transportationofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
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