Clinton Township, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must maintain
- Abutting owner or occupant, jointly and severally
- Governing section
- Section 1022.03(a), Clinton Township Code
- Repair permit
- Required from Department of Public Works, Section 1022.04
- Corner lots
- Must maintain both front and side yard walks
- Township repair cost
- Assessed over 5 years like property taxes
- Appeal deadline
- 7 days to Sidewalk Review Committee
- General penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 93 days jail
Summary
Clinton Township puts sidewalk upkeep on the abutting property owner. Ordinance Section 1022.03(a) requires every owner or occupant to keep the paved sidewalk contiguous to their land free of defects and in a condition of repair. Corner-lot owners maintain both the front and side yard walks, and multiple owners share joint and several liability for the same stretch of walk.
It is the duty of every owner and/or occupant of land within the Charter Township of Clinton to keep and maintain the paved sidewalk, paved bicycle path, paved hike/bike trail, or other paved areas in the public right-of-way and upon the public right-of-way contiguous to such owner's property. Such duty shall not apply to any such paved surface which is at the rear or side yard of the property and parallel to a thoroughfare or collector road where such property has a paved sidewalk, bicycle path, or hike/bike trail contiguous to the front yard of such property. In the case of corner lots, both the front yard paved areas and side yard paved areas shall be maintained as provided. Paved surfaces shall be maintained in the following manner: (a) It shall be kept free from defects in the paved surface of every kind and nature and maintained in a condition of repair. ... In the event of more than one owner and/or occupant, each shall be jointly and severally liable for failure to comply with this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Local legislation current through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The duty runs with the paved sidewalk, bicycle path, or hike/bike trail contiguous to the property's front yard, and under Section 1022.03(a) that surface must be kept free from defects and maintained in a condition of repair. The Township defines an owner as the record owner shown by the Macomb County Register of Deeds or the Township Assessor, and where land has more than one owner or occupant, each is jointly and severally liable for the sidewalk fronting their parcel.
Repairs and new construction both require a permit from the Department of Public Works under Section 1022.04, which must show the owner's name, the work's location and square footage, and a signed statement agreeing to the chapter's specifications. When the Township itself determines a walk needs work, Section 1022.11 lets the Board of Trustees order the Department of Public Works to serve written notice on the owner; if the owner fails to complete the job, the Township can build or repair the sidewalk itself and assess the cost against the property over a five-year payment period that includes administrative and professional fees. Unpaid assessments are collected the same way as ad valorem property taxes, with interest and penalties. Where a sidewalk fronts more than one lot, costs are prorated on a front-footage basis, and one owner's failure to act does not excuse the neighboring owner from the same duty.
An owner who disagrees with a repair notice can appeal to the Sidewalk Review Committee, a three-person panel appointed by the Township Supervisor, by filing within seven days of the notice.
Violations & Fines
Failure to fix a defective or obstructed sidewalk after Township notice lets the Department of Public Works perform the repair and assess the full cost to the property over five years, collected like delinquent property taxes with interest and penalties. Employees of Public Works and the Building Department may also issue appearance tickets under Section 1022.15, and violations carry the Code's general penalty of up to a $500 fine or 93 days in jail under Section 202.99, plus injunctive relief under Section 1022.16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to repair a broken sidewalk in Clinton Township?
Do I need a permit to repair my own sidewalk?
What happens if I ignore a Township sidewalk repair notice?
Can I appeal a sidewalk repair order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clinton Township
Compare Clinton Township to another location·View the Michigan sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle sidewalk repair.