Portland, OR Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

The owners of land abutting any street in Portland are responsible for constructing, reconstructing, maintaining and repairing the sidewalks, curbs, driveways and parking strips abutting or immediately adjacent to said land, except as provided in Subsections B. and C. The property owners are liable for any and all damages to any person who is injured or otherwise suffers damage resulting from the defective condition of any sidewalk, curb, driveway or parking strip adjacent to said land, or by reason of the property owners’ failure to keep such sidewalk, curb, driveway or parking strip in safe condition and good repair. The property owners are liable to the City for any amounts that may be paid or incurred by the City by reason of all claims, judgment or settlement, and for all reasonable costs of defense, including investigation costs and Attorney fees, by reason of the property owners’ failure to satisfy the obligations imposed by the Charter and Portland City Code to maintain, construct, and repair such sidewalks, curbs, driveways and/or parking strips.

B. Curbs are maintained by the City except when in combination with the sidewalk and when they have been willfully damaged or damaged by tree roots. Intersection corners and curbs adjacent to them may be installed by the City when sidewalks and curbs are constructed up to the intersection on the same side of the street.