# Sidewalk Repair in Philadelphia, PA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Philadelphia the abutting owner is responsible for the footway and curb; City-performed work is assessed to owners but capped at 30 percent of the cost.

**Who pays:** owner

Philadelphia: the abutting owner is responsible for the footway and curb; City-performed work is assessed to owners but capped at 30 percent of cost.

**Boundary:** The Philadelphia Code § 11-505 ("Sidewalk Paving and Other Improvements by Property Owners") makes the abutting owner responsible for the footway and curb. When the Department of Streets performs sidewalk/curb work, it notifies owners and assesses the cost against abutting owners, capped at 30 percent of the total, with a lien for nonpayment. Snow clearing is an owner/agent/tenant duty (§ 10-720).

**Property owner:** Keep the footway and curb in repair (§ 11-505); clear a 36-inch snow path within 6 hours after snowfall ceases (§ 10-720).

**City / agency:** When the City performs the sidewalk/curb work, abutting-owner assessments are capped at 30 percent of total cost; roadway repaving is fully at City expense (§ 11-505(5)(b),(6)).

**Exceptions:** No exception for sidewalk damage caused by tree roots (Parks & Recreation street tree FAQ).

## Sources
- [The Philadelphia Code § 11-505 (sidewalk/curb responsibility; City assessment capped at 30%)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-284213) — "Whenever the Department of Streets determines that it is necessary to grade, pave, repave, or repair the sidewalks and to set or reset the curb of any public street in the City, it shall give written notice of the Department's intention to have such work done and the provisions of this Section to the owner of the property adjoining which such work is to be done... the surveyor shall assess the cost for sidewalks and curbs against the properties abutting on the sidewalks and curbs in the names of the registered owner, provided that the total of such assessments shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total cost of the work... The owner of the adjacent property shall keep the curb in repair." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [The Philadelphia Code § 10-720 (owner/agent/tenant duty to clear snow within 6 hours)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-306988) — "The owner, agent and tenants of any building or premises shall clear a path of not less than 36 inches in width on all sidewalks abutting the building or premises within 6 hours after the snow has ceased to fall." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [The Philadelphia Code § 11-505 (sidewalk/curb responsibility; City assessment capped at 30%)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-284213) — "Sidewalk Paving and Other Improvements by Property Owners" (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Maintenance](https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-streets/roadways/maintenance/) — "Sidewalks, alleys, driveways, and retaining walls are private property. They belong to the property owner. The City does not own or maintain them. It is the responsibility of owners to maintain them in safe and sanitary conditions." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Street tree frequently asked questions](https://www.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-parks-recreation/street-tree-frequently-asked-questions/) — "The Philadelphia Code states that the property owner is responsible for maintaining their sidewalks in a safe condition. There are no exceptions for damage to sidewalks caused by tree roots." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Curbside Appeal Program](https://www.phila.gov/programs/curbside-appeal-program/) — "Selected blocks will receive up $100,000 and residents may choose to invest in any of the following improvements:" (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Curbside Appeal Program](https://www.phila.gov/programs/curbside-appeal-program/) — "Certain sidewalk repairs" (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Curbside Appeal Program](https://www.phila.gov/programs/curbside-appeal-program/) — "Only residents in census tracts who make 100% or less of the area median income." (accessed 2026-10-03)

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