If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
Birmingham General Code § 4-5-11 makes it unlawful for a property owner to let the abutting sidewalk remain in a broken, worn, damaged, defective, unsafe or dangerous condition. The City Engineer notices the owner to repair within 10 days (§ 4-5-12); on failure the City repairs and the council assesses the cost as a lien (§ 4-5-13).
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Do not let the abutting sidewalk remain broken, damaged, defective or unsafe (§ 4-5-11); repair within 10 days of the City Engineer’s notice (§ 4-5-12). Keep it free of snow, sleet and ice (§ 4-5-10). |
| City / public agency | The Public Works Construction Division is responsible for the maintenance and repair of City roadways and sidewalks and takes requests through the 311 portal. The City raised sidewalk spending to $1 million in November 2024 and approved $2 million more for sidewalk repairs on March 31, 2026. On owner default under the code, the City repairs and the council assesses the cost as a lien (§ 4-5-13). |
| Exceptions | The City's pages do not say whether it still bills owners for sidewalk repairs. Ask through 311 first. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 3, 2026.
It shall be unlawful for any property owner to allow the sidewalk paving, portions of private driveways built within the public right-of-way, and any sidewalk openings ... located in such paved sidewalks in front, or along the side of his or her property to remain in a broken, worn, damaged or defective condition ... or to permit that sidewalk, driveway, sidewalk opening, streetscape or grass plot to remain in an unsafe or dangerous condition to the traveling public or pedestrians
It shall be the duty of every occupant or person in possession, charge or control of the ground floor or lower story of any house, building or structure ... situated on, abutting or facing any sidewalk ... to keep the sidewalk so abutting or bordering the premises, whether in front or on the side thereof, free from snow, sleet and ice, so as to afford a safe and convenient passage for pedestrians
It shall be the duty of the city engineer to give notice of any defective or dangerous condition of any sidewalk, sidewalk opening or vault ... which notice shall also require the property owner to repair or replace the same within ten days of the date of the notice
The Construction Division of the Department of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance and repair of City roadways, sidewalks, curb & gutter, and storm drainage infrastructure.
The Construction Division responds to citizen requests through the 311 portal.
Sidewalk Repairs - $2 million: This project will supplement the existing sidewalk budgets to further sidewalk repairs across the city.
The amended budget would increase sidewalk spending to $1 million, double funding for traffic calming measures, and add $1.25 million more for the demolition of blighted structures and weed abatement.
City rules rest on state law. Read Alabama's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Birmingham, AL?
It depends on the specific facts. Do not let the abutting sidewalk remain broken, damaged, defective or unsafe (§ 4-5-11); repair within 10 days of the City Engineer’s notice (§ 4-5-12). Keep it free of snow, sleet and ice (§ 4-5-10).
Are there exceptions in Birmingham, AL?
The City's pages do not say whether it still bills owners for sidewalk repairs. Ask through 311 first.
What is this based on for Birmingham, AL?
This verdict is sourced to Birmingham General Code § 4-5-11 (owner may not allow sidewalk to remain defective) and 7 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Birmingham General Code § 4-5-11 (owner may not allow sidewalk to remain defective)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
- Birmingham General Code § 4-5-10 (occupant duty to keep sidewalk free of snow, sleet, ice)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
- Birmingham Code of Ordinances § 4-5-11ordinance · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Construction Operations Divisionofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
- Construction Operations Divisionofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
- Mayor Woodfin focuses on Cradle to Career, Infrastructure in Budget Surplus Planofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
- Mayor Woodfin Prioritizes Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety in Recommended Budget Amendments for Fiscal Yearofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
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