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Default rule and exceptions
Phoenix City Code § 31-54 makes it the duty of the owner or lessee abutting a sidewalk to keep and maintain it in repair. On a defective sidewalk the Street Transportation Director notifies the owner to repair immediately; on failure the City repairs and taxes the cost to the owner as a property lien (§ 31-56).
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Keep and maintain the abutting sidewalk in repair (§ 31-54); repair immediately on the Director’s notice or the City repairs and liens the cost (§ 31-56). |
| City / public agency | On owner default after notice, the City repairs and taxes the cost to the abutting owner as a lien (§§ 31-56, 31-57). |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 9, 2026.
It shall be the duty of the owner or the lessee of any lot or parcel abutting upon any sidewalk now or hereafter constructed in the City to keep and maintain such sidewalk in repair. (Code 1962, § 35-66)
Whenever any sidewalk in the City shall become defective, the Street Transportation Director shall notify the owner of the abutting property of such defective condition and shall notify the owner to immediately repair such sidewalk and unless immediate steps are taken by the owner to repair the sidewalk, the City shall proceed to repair the sidewalk and tax the cost of such repair to the abutting property owner and make such cost a lien upon the property abutting on the sidewalk so repaired...
City rules rest on state law. Read Arizona's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Phoenix, AZ?
The property owner. Keep and maintain the abutting sidewalk in repair (§ 31-54); repair immediately on the Director’s notice or the City repairs and liens the cost (§ 31-56).
What does the city cover in Phoenix, AZ?
On owner default after notice, the City repairs and taxes the cost to the abutting owner as a lien (§§ 31-56, 31-57).
What is this based on for Phoenix, AZ?
This verdict is sourced to Phoenix City Code § 31-54 (owner/lessee duty to keep sidewalk in repair) and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Phoenix City Code § 31-54 (owner/lessee duty to keep sidewalk in repair)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
- Phoenix City Code § 31-56 (notice; City repair and lien on owner default)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-09
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