If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
The director of public works determines the manner, materials and time for a sidewalk to be built/altered/repaired and notices the abutting owner (§ 23-66). If not done on time the director proceeds at city expense, then certifies the cost plus 10% to the tax assessors who add it to the owner’s tax (§ 23-67). Initiative/specs are the city’s; the ultimate cost lands on the owner.
Permit required: yes.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Perform the directed construction/repair within the director’s time limit; otherwise bear the city’s cost plus 10%, collected as a tax against the property. |
| City / public agency | Director determines specs/timing, notices the owner, and on non-compliance performs the work at city expense first, recovering cost + 10% via tax assessment. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 13, 2026.
if the work shall not have been prosecuted according to his directions, he shall, in his discretion, proceed at the expense of the city and execute the directions so given to the owner by him. When the same shall be accomplished, it shall be the duty of the director to certify the expense thereof to the assessors of taxes of the city, together with ten (10) percent in addition thereto
Whenever the director of public works shall have determined in what manner, of what materials, and within what time any sidewalks shall be built or altered, he shall cause written or printed notice thereof to be personally given to the owner of the adjacent lot, if residing within the city, particularly describing the materials, width, height and manner in which the sidewalk shall be built, or the alteration to be made
City rules rest on state law. Read Rhode Island's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Providence, RI?
Responsibility is shared. Perform the directed construction/repair within the director’s time limit; otherwise bear the city’s cost plus 10%, collected as a tax against the property.
Do I need a permit to repair the sidewalk in Providence, RI?
Yes. The rule on record requires a permit for sidewalk work in the public right-of-way.
What is this based on for Providence, RI?
This verdict is sourced to Providence Code § 23-67: city does the work and taxes the owner cost + 10% and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Providence Code § 23-67: city does the work and taxes the owner cost + 10%official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-12
- Providence Code § 23-66: director determines specs and notices ownerofficial · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-12
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