Jackson, MS Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 110-7 places sidewalk upkeep squarely on the abutting property: it is unlawful for any person to allow a sidewalk in front of premises they own or occupy to become, or continue to be, broken so as to impede a traveler on it. There is no minimum crack width or defect size written into the section; the standard is simply whether the condition impedes a pedestrian. The city's process for enforcing that duty runs through § 110-9. If the city engineering section of the utilities division of the public works department judges that an existing sidewalk or curb needs repair, is out of alignment enough to be dangerous, or that a hole exists in the grass plot between the sidewalk and the curb line, the department must first serve written notice on the owner, agent or tenant of the abutting property, requiring the repair, or the hole to be closed, within ten days.

If the owner does not act, the department reports the necessity for the repair to the city council at its next regular meeting, and the council then proceeds to declare the work necessary, which allows the city to move forward with it. Liability follows the same section: under § 110-9(b), if a person, an animal, or property is damaged because the owner, agent or tenant neglected, failed or refused to make the repair or fill the hole, the city attorney is directed to sue that property owner for any resulting damages the city has to pay out.

A related duty appears in § 110-10, which requires owners and occupants to keep sidewalks and gutters in front of, or behind, their business or residence clear of trash, slush or slops, and free from grass and weed growth.