Coon Rapids, MN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

City Code § 8-1006, part of the Chapter 8-1000 Boulevard Encroachments rules, places the ongoing maintenance duty for the boulevard, the strip of public right-of-way running from the back of the curb to the right-of-way limit as defined in § 8-1002(2), on the owner or occupant of the abutting property, except where the Chapter or other City Code provisions say otherwise. At a minimum, the owner or occupant must maintain the lawn and trees within that boulevard strip. If the owner or occupant chooses to add anything beyond lawn and trees, such as landscaping, edging or other improvements, § 8-1006 states that those additions must be maintained by the owner or occupant at their own risk and expense, and the City is not responsible for maintaining them or liable for any injury or damage arising from them; the property owner or occupant agrees to hold the City harmless for such claims.

The duty sits alongside § 8-1012, which reserves a paramount right for the City and franchised utilities to use the boulevard for installation, repair or replacement of utilities, requiring the owner to remove any of their own boulevard improvements at their own expense if the space is needed for that purpose. Neglecting the lawn-and-tree duty can also trigger the separate nuisance provisions of § 8-1004 if the resulting condition impedes pedestrian traffic or creates a vehicle hazard.