Fort Wayne, IN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must repair
- Owner of the abutting building or lot
- Standard
- Must not be dangerous or unsafe for passage
- Penalty
- Up to $2,500 per violation
- Continuing violation
- Each day counts as a separate offense
Summary
Property owners in Fort Wayne must keep the sidewalk abutting their building or lot from falling into disrepair, and letting it become dangerous or unsafe is a code violation.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any building or lot to permit the sidewalk abutting thereon to become and remain out of repair so as to become dangerous and unsafe for passage upon and over.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 99.046 makes it unlawful for the owner of any building or lot to let the abutting sidewalk "become and remain out of repair so as to become dangerous and unsafe for passage." The duty falls on the property owner, not the city, wherever a sidewalk borders their lot. Because the section carries no specific fine, violations default to the general penalty in § 99.999: up to $2,500, and each day the sidewalk stays out of repair counts as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 99.046 falls under the § 99.999 general penalty: a fine up to $2,500 per conviction, with each day the sidewalk remains out of repair treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fixing a broken sidewalk in Fort Wayne?
What happens if a sidewalk stays broken?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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