# Sidewalk Repair in Dallas, TX: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Dallas the owner must replace a defective sidewalk, but the City's Cost Share Program splits existing residential sidewalk replacement 50/50.

**Who pays:** owner

Dallas: the owner must replace a defective sidewalk, but the City's Cost Share Program splits the cost 50/50 for existing residential sidewalk. The owner pays 100% of a drive approach.

**Boundary:** Dallas City Code § 43-63(a) provides that when a sidewalk becomes defective, unsafe, or hazardous, the abutting property owner shall reconstruct or repair it and the expense must be borne by the abutting owner. The abutting owner is also primarily liable for injuries from a defective sidewalk (§ 43-33).

**Property owner:** Reconstruct or repair the abutting sidewalk at the owner’s expense when it becomes defective; act within 30 days of written notice (§ 43-63).

**City / agency:** Enforcement runs through written notice and offense provisions (§ 43-63); the City does not bear the routine repair expense.

**Exceptions:** Cost Share Program: the City shares the cost 50/50 for removing and replacing existing residential sidewalk; single family homes, condominiums and townhomes are eligible.; The property owner pays 100% of drive approach removal and replacement, even in the program.; Replacement by the owner or a private contractor needs a permit from the City of Dallas Permit Center.

## Sources
- [Sidewalk Replacement Program (Cost Share Program)](https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-works/Pages/SidewalkReplacementProgram.aspx) — "to share the cost 50/50 for existing residential sidewalk removal and replacement." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Sidewalk Replacement Program (owner duty)](https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-works/Pages/SidewalkReplacementProgram.aspx) — "City ordinance requires property owners to replace sidewalks, drive approaches or any other associated element when they become defective, unsafe or hazardous." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Sidewalk Replacement Program (drive approach)](https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-works/Pages/SidewalkReplacementProgram.aspx) — "the property owner will pay 100% for the cost of drive approach removal and replacement." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Sidewalk Replacement Program (permit)](https://dallascityhall.com/departments/public-works/Pages/SidewalkReplacementProgram.aspx) — "Any sidewalk replacements by the property owner or by a private contractor must have an issued permit from the City of Dallas Permit Center" (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Dallas City Code § 43-63 (owner must repair; expense borne by abutting owner)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dallas/latest/dallas_tx/0-0-0-120658) — "When a sidewalk, driveway, or any appurtenance to a sidewalk or driveway becomes defective, unsafe, or hazardous, the abutting property owner shall reconstruct or repair the sidewalk, driveway, or appurtenance, and the expense of such work must be borne by the abutting property owner." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Dallas City Code § 43-33 (abutting owner primarily liable for defective-sidewalk injury)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dallas/latest/dallas_tx/0-0-0-120560) — "The abutting property owner or person enjoying the use of any property abutting on a sidewalk that has become defective and has resulted in causing damage or injury as a result of such defective condition shall be primarily liable in damages for any loss or damage sustained as a result of such defective condition." (accessed 2026-09-09)

_Last verified 2026-10-01. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/dallas-tx-sidewalk-repair/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._