Garland, TX Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Responsible party
- Abutting property owner
- Repair deadline
- 30 days after Streets Dept. notice
- Hazard threshold
- 2-inch elevation difference between slabs
- Cross-slope limit
- 5 percent maximum
- City lien interest
- 10% per annum if City repairs and bills
Summary
Garland places the duty to keep sidewalks, parkways, and driveways safe squarely on the abutting property owner, not the City. The Code spells out exactly what counts as hazardous, including a two-inch elevation difference between slabs, cross-slopes over 5 percent, and spalled or missing sections, under § 31.134.
It shall be the duty of any abutting property owner to keep the sidewalk, parkway, and driveway abutting such property in a good and safe condition, free from any defects and hazards of whatsoever kind and character. By way of example and not of limitation, a sidewalk is hazardous under any of the following conditions: (1) There is a difference in elevation between adjoining sections of sidewalk or opposing edges of any fissures (cracks) on the sidewalk surface of two (2) inches or more; ... (5) The sidewalk has an excessive cross-slope greater than 5 percent;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862189; v40 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
134 makes the abutting property owner responsible for keeping the sidewalk, parkway, and driveway next to their property in good and safe condition, and lists specific hazard triggers rather than leaving the standard vague: a two-inch or greater elevation difference between adjoining sidewalk sections, a fissure creating a gap of one and one-half inches or more, a spalled finish that destabilizes the walking surface, missing corners or sidewalk pieces, cross-slope exceeding 5 percent, sunken or slanted sections that pond water, and uplifted or sunken sidewalks with longitudinal grades over 5 percent or steeper than the adjacent curb. 136). 137(A)). 137(B)). 135).
Violations & Fines
Failing to repair a defective or hazardous sidewalk within 30 days after the Streets Department's written notice is an offense under § 31.136. Beyond prosecution, the City can perform the repair itself and place a lien on the property for the cost, plus 10 percent annual interest, and the abutting owner remains primarily liable for any injury the hazard causes under § 31.135.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for a broken sidewalk in front of my Garland house?
What sidewalk defects does Garland actually consider hazardous?
What happens if I ignore a City notice to repair my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
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Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle sidewalk repair.