Acworth, GA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 82-1(7)
- Who pays
- Abutting owner, at owner's own expense
- Notice before city acts
- 30 days' notice required
- Cost recovery
- Collected from owner like other taxes
- Default penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
- Charter authority
- City Charter § 1.13(13) enabling clause
Summary
Acworth puts sidewalk repair on the abutting property owner, not the city. Code of Ordinances Section 82-1(7) lets the board of aldermen require owners of land on public streets in the business part of the city to curb, pave, or improve adjoining sidewalks at the owner's own expense, with the city stepping in after 30 days' notice if the owner refuses.
The board of aldermen may: ... (7)Require owners of land upon the public streets in the business part of the city to curb, pave or improve sidewalks or streets adjoining the property, in the manner prescribed by the board of aldermen, at the owners' expense, under the direction of the city authorities; and upon failure of the landowners to do so, the city authorities may proceed to have the work done and collect from the landowner the cost as other taxes are collected, provided the city authorities give the landowners 30 days' notice before proceeding to curb, pave or improve the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
13(13) to require real estate owners to repair and maintain in a safe condition the sidewalks adjoining their lots or lands, and to enact ordinances setting the terms, conditions and penalties for that duty. The Code of Ordinances carries that power into effect in Chapter 82, Streets and Sidewalks. Section 82-1 lists what the board of aldermen may do regarding city streets and sidewalks, and item (7) is the operative repair-duty clause: it lets the board require owners of land on the public streets in the business part of the city to curb, pave, or improve the sidewalks or streets adjoining their property, in the manner the board prescribes, at the owners' own expense, under the direction of the city authorities.
If a landowner fails to do the work, the city authorities may proceed to have the work done themselves and then collect the cost from the landowner the same way other taxes are collected, provided the city gives the landowner 30 days' notice before starting the curb, pave or improvement work. The section traces back to Code 1983, Section 18-1, so this notice-and-recovery mechanism predates the current recodification. 00, up to six months in jail, up to 60 days of public-works labor, or any combination, with each day of continuing noncompliance treated as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a sidewalk repair requirement issued under Section 82-1(7) exposes an owner to the general penalty in Section 1-11: a fine up to $1,000.00, up to six months in jail, or up to 60 days of court-ordered public-works labor, with the municipal court judge able to combine these. Section 1-11 also treats a continuing violation as a new offense each day, so exposure compounds until the required curb, paving or sidewalk work is done, or until the city completes the work itself and recovers the cost from the owner like a tax assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for repairing a sidewalk in Acworth?
What happens if a property owner ignores a sidewalk repair order?
Does this repair duty apply to every sidewalk in Acworth?
Where does the city get authority to make owners fix sidewalks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Acworth
Compare Acworth to another location·View the Georgia sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.