Chicopee, MA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 243-37 of the Code of the City of Chicopee, Maintenance of sidewalk and tree belt, was added 6-19-1984, and its $100 penalty was added 2-15-2000 by Ord. No. 00-13. It reaches "any person or corporation owning or occupying property abutting a sidewalk or tree belt," so a tenant in possession is covered along with the owner. The obligation is to make sure the sidewalk or tree belt is maintained in a clean and safe fashion, free from loose sand or other material on the paved walk, and to keep lawn and trees appropriately trimmed. The text sets no numeric trimming height and no inspection schedule.

The section is a housekeeping duty, not a paving-repair mandate. The code places sidewalk construction on a different track. Petitions to establish, grade or construct a sidewalk go to the City Council and to its standing Committee on Sidewalks, which holds a hearing after written notice signed by the City Clerk is served at least seven days before on the abutting landowner (§ 243-22). Every ordered sidewalk is built under the direction of the Superintendent of Streets to dimensions and materials prescribed by the City Council (§ 243-23). Under § 243-24, the Superintendent of Streets sends each abutting estate owner an assessment bill for 1/2 the cost of a new sidewalk, unless the City Council determines that public necessity requires the installation, in which case the Superintendent need not assess anyone. Curbing follows the same one-half rule for abutters under § 243-19.

Other duties tied to the abutting walk sit next door in Chapter 243. Owners must clear snow within 24 hours (§ 243-34) and ice within 24 hours (§ 243-36), at $50 each, and a building cannot shed water onto a sidewalk (§ 243-32, $50). Digging up a sidewalk requires the license in § 243-26. Under § 243-44 the DPW Superintendent, Police, Building, Health and Fire Departments can each cite violations of Chapter 243.