Livonia, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Livonia Code § 12.04.360
- Who repairs
- Owner of abutting land
- Injury liability
- Owner liable to city for damages
- Notice period
- 10 days after 2nd published notice
- City-performed repair cost
- Special assessment plus 10% charge
- New-home requirement
- Sidewalk required; waivable for $250 fee
Summary
Livonia requires every property owner to keep the sidewalk along their land in good repair, and makes them liable to the city for damages if a pedestrian is hurt because the owner let it fall into disrepair. If an owner refuses to fix a sidewalk after notice, the city can do the work and assess the cost to the property.
All sidewalks within the city shall be kept and maintained in good repair by the owner of the land adjacent to and abutting upon the same, and if any owner shall neglect to keep and maintain the sidewalk along the front, rear or side of the land owned by him in good repair and safe for the use of the public, the said owner shall be liable to the city for any damages recovered against the city sustained by any person by reason of said sidewalk being unsafe and out of repair.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
" An owner who neglects to keep a sidewalk along the front, rear or side of their property safe for public use becomes liable to the city for any damages the city has to pay out because the sidewalk was unsafe. 340, which lets the city council pass a resolution ordering specific owners to construct, rebuild or repair a sidewalk, with notice mailed and published in the city's official newspaper on two consecutive publishing days, giving owners ten days from the last publication to comply unless the resolution sets a different deadline.
350 authorizes the Department of Public Works to do the work itself and charge the expense to the property and its owner, collected as a single lot special assessment, plus a service charge of up to 10 percent to cover administrative, advertising and collection costs. 320 whenever a new home is built or an existing home is expanded on a lot that lacks one, though the City Council can waive that requirement for a nonrefundable $250 fee covering the city's review costs.
Violations & Fines
An owner who lets a sidewalk fall into disrepair can be held liable to the city for any damages the city pays out to an injured pedestrian under Section 12.04.360. If the city orders repairs by resolution under Section 12.04.340 and the owner does not act within the notice period, the Department of Public Works performs the repair and bills the owner as a special assessment, plus up to a 10 percent service charge, under Section 12.04.350.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fixing a broken sidewalk in Livonia?
What happens if I ignore a Livonia sidewalk repair notice?
Does a new Livonia home have to include a sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Livonia
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Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle sidewalk repair.