Royal Oak Township, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Chapter 24, Article II (Sidewalk Construction and Repair) puts the duty on the owner of the adjoining property. Section 24-20 says no person shall permit any sidewalk which adjoins property owned by him to fall into a state of disrepair or to be unsafe. The section assigns the duty by ownership of the abutting parcel, so the owner of the lot is the person the township looks to.

Section 24-21 sets the enforcement path. When the township inspector determines that a sidewalk is unsafe for use, proper notice may be given to repair it. If the owner fails to repair the sidewalk within the time specified in the notice, the township inspector causes the repair to be made. The inspector can dispense with notice and the time limit altogether if, in his opinion, the unsafe sidewalk condition requires immediate repair, so an emergency fix can proceed with no waiting period.

Section 24-22 covers who pays. The cost of repairs is charged against the owner. When that amount has not been paid to the township within 60 days after the expense was billed, the township supervisor submits a special assessment roll covering the same to the Township Board.

Repairing the walk yourself is also regulated. Under § 24-19, no person shall construct or repair any sidewalk except in accordance with the line, grade, slope and specifications established by the township engineer, nor without first obtaining a written permit from the township clerk. The permit must be prominently displayed on the construction site, and a fee set by resolution of the Township Board is charged for each permit to cover engineering costs of survey. Snow and ice on the same sidewalks is a separate duty under § 24-77.