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Default rule and exceptions
The City works through its districts on a ten-year cycle and replaces defective sidewalk under its Sidewalk Replacement Program; under the 2022 Street Assessment Policy that work is not assessed to the adjacent property. Sidewalk an owner asks to add to the program is paid 100% by the owner, and a drive apron replaced at the owner's request is assessed 100% to the owner. Owners may also repair on their own under MGO 10.09 and be reimbursed about one third of the City's average contract price. Snow and ice are the owner's job by noon the next day (MGO 10.28).
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Pays 100% for additional sidewalk they ask the City to replace and for a drive apron replaced at their request; may repair on their own under MGO 10.09 with a rebate of about one third; removes snow and ice by 12:00 noon the day after it accumulates (MGO 10.28). |
| City / public agency | Replaces defective sidewalk under the Sidewalk Replacement Program on a ten-year district cycle and does not assess that cost to the adjacent property (Street Assessment Policy, 2022). |
| Exceptions | Additional sidewalk requested for replacement by the property owner is paid 100% by the property owner.; Drive aprons replaced in the program at the owner's request are assessed 100% to the owner.; New sidewalk (where none existed) is assessed 100%, with grant reimbursement possible under the policy. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 1, 2026.
Sidewalk removed and replaced as part of the Sidewalk Replacement Program shall not be assessed.
Drive aprons removed and replaced as part of the Sidewalk Replacement Program shall be at the request of the property owner and shall be assessed 100% to the property owner.
the cost of sidewalk sections that are removed and replaced with this program, or sections that have edges that will be saw cut to remove tripping hazards, will NOT be assessed to the adjacent property.
Additional sidewalk requested for replacement by property owner shall be paid 100%
Property Owner Initiated Repairs or Reconstruction. Subject to any other permitting requirements of these ordinances that may apply, property owners may repair or reconstruct, or cause to be repaired or reconstructed, defective public sidewalks, curbs and/or gutters abutting their property. ... Sidewalk Repair or Replacement Rebate. Once the final work is approved and accepted by the City Engineer, property owners proceeding under subsection (3) shall be reimbursed a portion of the cost ... approximately one-third (⅓) the cost of an average sidewalk and curb & gutter city-wide installation and repair contract prices
The owner of each lot or part of lot shall remove all snow and ice upon the sidewalk abutting the premises which they own not later than 12:00 noon of the day after the snow or ice has accumulated on the sidewalk, regardless of the source of accumulation.
City rules rest on state law. Read Wisconsin's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Madison, WI?
Responsibility is shared. Pays 100% for additional sidewalk they ask the City to replace and for a drive apron replaced at their request; may repair on their own under MGO 10.09 with a rebate of about one third; removes snow and ice by 12:00 noon the day after it accumulates (MGO 10.28).
Are there exceptions in Madison, WI?
Additional sidewalk requested for replacement by the property owner is paid 100% by the property owner.; Drive aprons replaced in the program at the owner's request are assessed 100% to the owner.; New sidewalk (where none existed) is assessed 100%, with grant reimbursement possible under the policy.
Is there any cost help for sidewalk repair in Madison, WI?
Owner-initiated repair under MGO 10.09: the City reimburses approximately one third of its average sidewalk contract price once the work is approved and accepted.
What is this based on for Madison, WI?
This verdict is sourced to Street Assessment Policy (2022), section 1.2(6) Sidewalk Replacement Program and 6 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Street Assessment Policy (2022), section 1.2(6) Sidewalk Replacement Programofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-01
- Street Assessment Policy (2022), drive apronsofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-01
- Sidewalk Replacement Notice to property owners, District 2 (May 21, 2026)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-01
- Street Assessment Policy (2022), owner-requested sidewalkofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-01
- Madison General Ordinances § 10.09 (owner repair duty; ~1/3 rebate for owner-initiated repair)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
- Madison General Ordinances § 10.28 (owner snow/ice removal by noon next day)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
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