# Who Pays for Sidewalk Repair in Cleveland? Owner, or 50/50 | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Cleveland the abutting owner keeps the sidewalk in repair, but a voluntary 50/50 City program will split the cost of the work.

**Who pays:** owner

Cleveland: the abutting owner keeps the sidewalk in repair, but a voluntary 50/50 City program will split the cost of the work.

**Boundary:** Cleveland Codified Ordinances § 505.11(a) makes the abutting owner/occupant responsible for keeping the sidewalk, curb and gutter in repair and free of snow, ice and nuisance, with money-damages liability for injuries. The City runs a voluntary 50/50 cost-share repair program (§ 505.14), and on a 15-day notice default can do the work and assess the cost plus a 15% penalty (§ 505.13).

**Property owner:** Keep the abutting sidewalk, curb and gutter in repair and free of snow, ice and nuisance (§ 505.11(a)); or take the 50/50 program (§ 505.14).

**City / agency:** The City repairs residential sidewalks when the owner pays 50% of shared costs (§ 505.14); on default after a 15-day notice it does the work and assesses cost + 15% (§ 505.13).

## Sources
- [Cleveland Codified Ordinances § 505.11 (owner duty to repair; free of snow/ice; liability)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-53682) — "No owner or occupant of abutting lots or lands shall fail to keep the sidewalks, curbs, and gutters in repair and free from snow, ice or any nuisance ... An owner or occupant of abutting lots or lands who fails to comply ... Shall be liable in money damages to any person who, as a result of such owner's or occupant's failure to comply, sustains bodily injury or property damage while in the lawful use of the sidewalk" (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Cleveland Codified Ordinances § 505.14 (50/50 Non-Complaint Sidewalk Repair Program)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-53688) — "The Director of Capital Projects may create a program for the City to repair, install, or re-install sidewalks, curbs, or apron on residential property ... when the City receives voluntary payment of fifty percent (50%) of the shared costs of the work from the owner of the property on which the sidewalk is located." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [§ 505.13 Failure to Construct or Repair Sidewalks, Curbs and Gutters; City May Perform Work](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-53689) — "Every person owning any parcel of land abutting upon any sidewalk, curb or gutter within the City shall construct or repair such sidewalk, curb or gutter within fifteen (15) days after the service of notice to construct or repair required by Charter Section 164. ... a penalty of fifteen percent (15%) of the expense for failure to comply with division (a) of this section" (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Programs, Projects & Portfolios](https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/office-mayor/capital-projects/programs-projects-portfolios) — "Sidewalk Repairs Section administers the Non-complaint Sidewalk Repair, the Tree Damaged Sidewalk Repairs, and the Sidewalk Leveling Improvement Programs." (accessed 2026-10-03)

_Last verified 2026-10-03. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/cleveland-oh-sidewalk-repair/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._