Farmington Hills, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair duty
- Abutting property owner
- Notice period
- At least 10 days to complete repairs
- Immediate repair
- City manager may skip notice if unsafe now
- Unpaid cost
- Collected under City Charter § 7.13
- Appeal window
- 10 days to appeal to council
- Major-road exception
- § 26-83 process doesn't apply on major roads
Summary
Farmington Hills places sidewalk repair squarely on the abutting property owner. Owners may not let a sidewalk fall into disrepair or become unsafe, and if the city manager finds one unsafe, the owner gets written notice and at least ten days to fix it before the city repairs it and bills the property.
No person shall permit any sidewalk which adjoins property owned by such person to fall into a state of disrepair or to be unsafe... Whenever the city manager determines that a sidewalk is unsafe for use, notice may be given to the owner of the lot or premises adjacent to and abutting upon such sidewalk of the city manager's determination... Thereafter, it shall be the duty of the owner to place the sidewalk in a safe condition. Such notice shall specify a reasonable time, not less than ten (10) days, within which such work shall be completed with due diligence. If the owner of such lot or premises shall refuse or neglect to repair the sidewalk within the time limited therefor... the city manager shall have the sidewalk repaired... In any event, the cost of repairs under this section shall be charged against the premises which adjoins the sidewalk and shall be paid by the owner of the premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 26-82 bars any person from permitting a sidewalk adjoining property they own to fall into a state of disrepair or to be unsafe. Sec. 26-83 sets the enforcement process: once the city manager determines a sidewalk is unsafe, notice goes to the abutting owner specifying a reasonable repair window of not less than ten days. If the owner refuses or neglects to repair the walk in that time, or does not repair it to code, the city manager has the work done by the city, and the cost is charged against the premises adjoining the sidewalk, collectible under Sec.
13 of the City Charter if unpaid. The city manager may skip notice altogether and repair immediately when the sidewalk is so unsafe that immediate action is needed to protect the public. Notice can be served personally, left with someone of suitable age at the owner's residence or office, sent by certified or registered mail to the owner's last known address, or, if the owner is unknown, posted conspicuously on the premises at least fifteen days before the work deadline; tearing down or defacing a posted notice is separately prohibited.
An owner who disagrees can appeal to the council within ten days of receiving or being posted the notice under Sec. 26-86, and filing that appeal automatically stays the proceedings until the council rules. Sec. 26-84 exempts sidewalks along major roads, meaning county primary roads, state trunk lines, and city major streets, from this particular repair-notice procedure.
Violations & Fines
Letting a sidewalk stay in disrepair or unsafe condition violates Sec. 26-82 and, like other Article IV violations, is a civil infraction under Sec. 26-87 punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, with each day of the condition counted as a separate violation. Beyond the fine, an owner who ignores a Sec. 26-83 repair notice faces the city doing the repair and billing the cost directly against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the city or the homeowner responsible for a cracked sidewalk in Farmington Hills?
How much notice do I get before the city repairs my sidewalk itself?
Can I appeal a Farmington Hills sidewalk repair order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Farmington Hills
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