Sheboygan, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 110-204 of the Sheboygan Municipal Code puts sidewalk repair on the abutting owner. The department of engineering and public works can order the abutting owner of any unsafe, defective or insufficient sidewalk to have it repaired, or removed and replaced, in accordance with the standards fixed by the council. Section 110-205 sets the standards: the common council designates the location, width, material and construction method of standard sidewalks by ordinance, and a new sidewalk on a street that has been improved by paving must be constructed of cement within two years of the completion of the pavement. No variation is granted to any subdivision or annexation commenced after July 1, 1979, and owners in earlier ones who dispute a department decision on relief can petition the public streets committee, whose decision is binding.

Notice comes first. Section 110-206 requires the department to serve a copy of the ordinance, resolution or order on the owner of each affected lot by personal delivery, by certified or registered mail, or by class 1 publication in the official newspaper if the owner or agent cannot be found in the city. Section 110-209 provides that at the expiration of 20 days following service or publication, the department notifies the official sidewalk contractor in writing of the work to be performed.

Section 110-210 decides who pays. Expenses from sidewalk damage relating to street trees are paid by the City of Sheboygan up to a maximum of 75 square feet of sidewalk per parcel per year. Anything beyond that maximum, and any expense not caused by street trees, is assessed to the abutting property owner at 100 percent of the cost. Under subsection (d), an assessment above $100.00 can be paid in five annual installments and one above $5,000.00 in ten, with interest at the rate set by the finance director/treasurer based on the city's most recent general obligation borrowing. The city clerk enters each installment on the tax roll as a special assessment. Subsection (e) says the city will not pay for mudjacking and the approved city contractor must do the replacement work. Snow and ice removal is a separate duty under section 110-278.