# Sidewalk Repair in Durham, NC: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Durham the City’s Street Maintenance Division repairs existing public sidewalks and trip hazards; the owner’s duty is keeping them clear of obstructions.

**Who pays:** city

Durham: the City’s Street Maintenance Division repairs existing public sidewalks and trip hazards; the owner’s duty is keeping them clear of obstructions.

**Boundary:** The City of Durham’s Street Maintenance Division is responsible for repairs to existing sidewalk, curb and gutter and curb ramps within the city limits (not on private streets), and addresses reported trip hazards. The abutting occupant’s coded duty is to keep the sidewalk clear of obstructions (§ 62-8).

**Property owner:** Keep the abutting sidewalk clear and the gutter free of obstructions; remove rubbish/dirt within 12 hours of notice (§ 62-8).

**City / agency:** The Street Maintenance Division repairs existing public sidewalks, curb and gutter, curb ramps and reported trip hazards within the city limits.

## Sources
- [City of Durham: Concrete/Sidewalk Repairs (Street Maintenance Division repairs existing sidewalk)](https://www.durhamnc.gov/4156/ConcreteSidewalk-Repairs) — "The Street Maintenance Division is responsible for repairs to existing sidewalk, curb and gutter, and curb ramps when they are within the city limit, and not on a private street. ... The concrete crews also address sidewalk trip hazards when reported by residents." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Durham City Code § 62-8 (occupant duty to keep sidewalk clear of obstructions)](https://library.municode.com/nc/durham/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH62STSI_ARTIINGE_S62-8DUOCLOABSTREKESICLGUOP) — "The occupant of a lot abutting on any street shall keep the sidewalk clear and the gutter open and free from the obstructions as far as such lot extends. If any rubbish, dirt, ashes or other material be placed or left, without authority, on such sidewalk, or, in such gutter or street, the occupant of such lot shall remove the same within 12 hours after oral or written notice from the city." (accessed 2026-09-09)

_Last verified 2026-09-09. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/durham-nc-sidewalk-repair/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._