# Sidewalk Repair in Rochester, NY: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Rochester owners are responsible for sidewalks under the Charter, but the City itself repairs hazardous sidewalks through a citywide program.

**Who pays:** shared

Rochester: owners are responsible for sidewalks under the Charter, but the City itself repairs hazardous sidewalks through a citywide program.

**Boundary:** Per the City of Rochester, property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their property under the City Charter, but the Department of Environmental Services Bureau of Engineering repairs hazardous sidewalks (a trip hazard of about 1.5 inches or severe deterioration), working through the city one area per year. Snow and ice clearing is an owner duty (Municipal Code § 104-11).

**Property owner:** Maintain the adjoining sidewalk (City Charter); keep it clear of snow and ice within the § 104-11 deadlines (not later than 9:00 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. depending on when it fell).

**City / agency:** The DES Bureau of Engineering repairs hazardous sidewalks citywide (Rochester historically recovers cost via a sidewalk assessment).

**Exceptions:** City performs hazardous-sidewalk repairs through its area program.

## Sources
- [Rochester Municipal Code § 104-11 (owner snow and ice removal deadlines)](https://ecode360.com/8678621) — "The owner of a building or lot must keep the sidewalks adjoining such building or lot free and clear from snow and ice and must not suffer or permit snow or ice to collect or remain on such sidewalk later than 9:00 a.m. if such snow shall have fallen or collected after 8:00 p.m. of the previous evening or later than 8:00 p.m." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [City of Rochester DES: Sidewalk Repair (owner responsible per Charter; City repairs hazardous sidewalks)](https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-environmental-services-des/sidewalk-repair) — "Per the City Charter, property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks that are adjacent to their property. The Department of Environmental Services' Bureau of Engineering does assist property owners by repairing hazardous sidewalks within the City of Rochester." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Sidewalk Repair](https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-environmental-services-des/sidewalk-repair) — "Sidewalks are considered potentially hazardous if they pose an obvious tripping hazard (a difference in elevation at the crack or joint of at least 1.5"), or if they are severely deteriorated." (accessed 2026-09-27)

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