Detroit, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Sidewalk repair responsibility in Wayne County, Michigan, varies significantly by municipality. Under traditional Michigan practice, the abutting property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sidewalk in front of their property, with the city performing the work and billing the owner through a special assessment. Detroit historically used this model but has shifted much sidewalk repair funding to city capital programs and federal infrastructure grants, though property owners remain responsible for hazards caused by their own trees or construction. Dearborn, Livonia, Westland, and most suburban Wayne County cities still bill abutting owners for sidewalk replacement when slabs heave, crack, or create a trip hazard greater than a half inch. Aging urban infrastructure combined with Michigan's harsh freeze-thaw cycles makes sidewalk damage widespread across the Detroit metro. Tree roots from city-owned street trees are a frequent cause of displacement, and responsibility in that case is often shared. Owners may appeal assessments and payment plans are typically available.