# Sidewalk Repair in Spokane, WA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Spokane the abutting owner and occupant must keep the sidewalk in good and safe repair, at their own expense if the City has to step in.

**Who pays:** owner

Spokane: the abutting owner and occupant must keep the sidewalk in good and safe repair, at their own expense if the City has to step in.

**Boundary:** Spokane Municipal Code 12.01.010 requires every owner and occupant to keep the sidewalk area in good and safe condition and repair at all times; if a violation is not corrected the Director may repair it at the owner’s and/or occupant’s sole expense and liability. Snow and ice clearing is also an owner/occupant duty (SMC 12.02.010).

**Property owner:** Keep the sidewalk area in good and safe condition and repair (SMC 12.01.010); keep it free and clear of snow and ice, and do not push private snow into the right-of-way (SMC 12.02.010).

**City / agency:** If the owner does not correct the condition, the City may repair it at the owner’s and/or occupant’s sole expense and liability (SMC 12.01.010).

## Sources
- [Spokane Municipal Code 12.01.010 (owner/occupant duty to keep sidewalk in safe repair)](https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Section=12.01.010) — "Every owner and occupant of premises shall keep the sidewalk area, including tree grates adjacent to any portion of the real property (including corners), in good and safe condition and repair at all times. ... If the violation is not corrected, the Director or their designee may proceed to remove or repair the condition, at the owner's and/or occupant's sole expense and liability." (accessed 2026-09-09)
- [Spokane Municipal Code 12.02.010 (owner/occupant snow and ice removal)](https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Section=12.02.010) — "Owners and occupants of premises shall keep the sidewalk areas adjacent to any portion of the real property (including corners) free and clear of snow and/or accumulations of snow or ice. No snow or ice from private premises shall be plowed into or placed in or on the streets or other areas of the public right of way, parks or other public property." (accessed 2026-09-09)

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