Sidewalk Responsibility
Sidewalks are the property owner’s responsibility to maintain, NOT the city’s.Reporting an unmaintained sidewalk
- Report the sidewalk with a photo to Memphis 311 using their website or by calling 311 directly.
- The city will contact the property owner to request a repair. If necessary, they will be given a notice to repair, giving them 30 days to arrange the work.
- If the notice to repair is not sufficiently met, then the matter will proceed to Environmental Court, which can take an additional 90 days for a secondary notice and another 30 days for the City to complete the repairs.
I am still in the process of following one of these requests, so this is all I know right now…
Helpful Sources
City of Memphis Ordinance on Sidewalk Maintenance
Sec. 12-24-3. - General duty of property owner to build, repair and clean.
Downtown Memphis Commission - Sidewalk Grants
Commercial property owners within the downtown business district boundaries can apply for a grant for sidewalk repair.
Cooper-Young Sidewalk Replacement Program
Using city/county grants, this neighborhood covers 50% of costs for their residents.
Central Gardens Neighborhood Association - Sidewalk Repair
An example of a neighborhood coming together to get a bulk discount on sidewalk repairs
It's up to homeowners to repair Memphis sidewalks
by Mike Matthews, ABC24, July 24, 2020
Who Owns and Maintains Your Sidewalks? Different Cities Have Different Laws
From Sustainable Cities Collective, pre-2017
Sidewalk Struggle
By Toby Sells, Memphis Flyer, June 12, 2014
City of Memphis Sidewalk Repair Cost Assistance Program
I found this document from 2014, but this program appears to no longer be active.
Sidewalk Plan Could Help Some Pay for Repairs
By Toby Sells, Memphis Flyer, March 3, 2015