Lubbock, TX Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair window after notice
- 30 days from receipt
- Duty holder
- Abutting owner, tenant or lessee
- Noncompliance penalty
- Misdemeanor, municipal court
- Notice issued by
- Environmental inspection services manager
- Repair permit required
- Yes, from building official
- Sidewalk tree clearance
- 8 feet vertical minimum
Summary
Lubbock puts sidewalk, curb and driveway upkeep on the abutting property owner, not the city. A defective sidewalk is declared a nuisance, and the owner has 30 days after written notice to fix it or face a misdemeanor charge in municipal court.
Any sidewalk, parkway, driveway or curb which has become defective, unsafe and hazardous is hereby declared to be a nuisance and it shall be the duty of the owner of any property abutting on any street, avenue, public alley, place, square, section or part thereof... to reconstruct or repair such sidewalk, curb or driveway in accordance with the standard specifications established by this article and the expense of such reconstruction or repair shall be borne by the abutting property owner. Any abutting owner who fails to reconstruct or repair sidewalks, curbs or driveways ordered to be reconstructed or repaired by the city environmental inspection services manager or designated representative shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any nuisance as defined by this section may be abated by the city pursuant to the abatement provisions set forth in chapter 34 of this Code of Ordinances.
Full Breakdown
005, every property owner, tenant or lessee must keep the sidewalk, alley, parkway, curb and driveway abutting their land in good and safe condition, free of defects and hazards. 016 separately makes the owner responsible for repairing sidewalk, curb or driveway damage caused by tree roots or other things on the abutting property. 008 adds a housekeeping duty: owners must keep the abutting sidewalk, parkway and alleyway clear of weeds, trash, rubbish and debris. 015 declares it a nuisance and puts the reconstruction or repair cost on the abutting owner.
017, the city environmental inspection services manager (or a designated representative) issues an order requiring repair to city specifications, served by a police officer, another city-designated person, or registered mail, with a copy sent to the assistant city attorney handling municipal court prosecutions. The owner then has 30 days from receipt of that notice to complete the reconstruction or repair. 051. An owner who ignores the repair order can be prosecuted, and the city can abate the nuisance itself under the chapter 34 abatement provisions if the owner still does not act.
Violations & Fines
Failing to reconstruct or repair a sidewalk, curb or driveway after a 30-day city order is a misdemeanor prosecuted in Lubbock Municipal Court under § 36.04.015. The city can also abate the nuisance directly under the chapter 34 abatement procedures and recover its costs from the abutting owner, separate from any criminal penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays to fix a broken sidewalk in Lubbock?
How much notice does the city give before requiring repairs?
What happens if I do not fix my sidewalk after being notified?
Do tree roots that crack a sidewalk change who is responsible?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lubbock
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Lubbock to another location·View the Texas sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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