Greensboro, NC Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-65 sets up the city's "operating sidewalk construction fund," a perpetual account that finances new sidewalk and driveway construction along Greensboro streets, separate from bond assessment accounts. The City Council decides which streets or portions of streets get sidewalks, on which side, and how much of the cost the city absorbs versus how much gets assessed against the abutting property owner, though curb and gutter work is exempt from assessment when its sole purpose is supporting an adjacent sidewalk. 00 per linear foot for driveway construction, a cap that covers installation plus any tree removal, excavation or drainage work the job requires.

Any steps, retaining walls or other structures that conflict with the new sidewalk get replaced by the owner or billed to the property at actual cost. Owners don't pay the assessment in one lump sum, it's spread over five equal annual installments carrying 6 percent annual interest from the date the assessment roll is confirmed, though an owner can pay the full amount in cash within 30 days of the confirmation notice and skip the interest entirely. The first installment comes due 30 days after the city publishes notice of the confirmed assessment roll, with one more installment due on the same date each following year until paid off.

Separately, Sec. 26-63 makes both the property owner and the contractor liable for tearing out and replacing any sidewalk segment an inspector finds doesn't meet the city's construction specifications, so approval of the finished work doesn't waive later liability if a defect turns up.