Roanoke, VA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Sec. 30-85 sets the baseline: an abutting property owner may apply to the city manager to build a sidewalk to standard specifications, and unless the code says otherwise, construction is at the owner's expense. Sec. 30-89 then splits the bill for city-initiated improvements in residential areas: new sidewalk construction is shared 50 percent by the city and 50 percent by the adjacent owners, while replacing an existing sidewalk is billed entirely to the city if the city manager decides replacement is necessary, and entirely to the adjacent owner if the manager does not.

Inside the Downtown District, Sec. 30-86 shifts the whole cost to the abutting owner: the owner must agree in writing to maintain and later replace the sidewalk, including after utility work, at no expense to the city, whenever the city manager directs, and must post the $1,000 security required by Sec. 30-88 before construction starts. Anyone doing sidewalk work under this division, downtown or elsewhere, must file that $1,000 bond with the city clerk first, as a letter of credit, certified check, or surety bond, to guarantee faithful performance and proper materials.

Before work can begin at all, the owners who want the sidewalk must petition the city manager listing every owner's frontage footage and waiving any damage claim tied to the city grading the street to the required level. Once work starts, the city manager inspects it as it progresses and after completion, then accounts for the total cost and any rebate owed to each owner or contractor, apportioned according to frontage.