# Sidewalk Repair in Richmond, VA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Richmond makes the abutting owner maintain the sidewalk and driveway crossing, and the owner must indemnify the city for claims. Report hazards via RVA311.

**Who pays:** owner

Richmond: by code, the abutting owner is presumed responsible for the sidewalk crossing and pavement next to their property, and indemnifies the city for it.

**Boundary:** The owner of premises abutting a sidewalk crossing is the prima facie owner and responsible party for maintaining that crossing and the adjacent sidewalk pavement, and must indemnify the city against related claims.

**Property owner:** Richmond City Code Sec. 24.175(b): "The owner of any premises abutting that portion of public street right-of-way...shall be the prima facie owner and responsible party for the maintenance of the sidewalk crossing, whether permitted or not, and adjacent section of sidewalk pavement thereof." Owners also maintain carriage walks, driveway aprons, and must keep vegetation from obstructing the sidewalk.

**City / agency:** Residents report hazardous sidewalks to the city via 311 or RVA311.com.

## Sources
- [City of Richmond: Sidewalk Maintenance (Code Sec. 24.175(b), owner duty)](https://www.rva.gov/public-works/sidewalk-maintenance) — "The owner of any premises abutting that portion of public street right-of-way...shall be the prima facie owner and responsible party for the maintenance of the sidewalk crossing, whether permitted or not, and adjacent section of sidewalk pavement thereof." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [City of Richmond, VA official government site](https://www.rva.gov) (accessed 2026-09-05)

_Last verified 2026-09-05. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/richmond-va-sidewalk-repair/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._