South Bend, IN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who repairs
- Abutting property owner, tenant, occupant or contractor
- Notice deadline
- 30 days after Board of Public Works notice
- Permit fee (repair, in-kind)
- $0.00, processing fee waived
- Permit fee (new curb/sidewalk)
- $5.00 per 10 linear feet, $25 minimum
- Late/no-permit fine
- $100 to $1,000 per day
- Inspection window
- Within 2 days of completion
Summary
South Bend places sidewalk, curb and gutter repair squarely on the abutting property owner. Owners must construct, reconstruct, repair or grade the sidewalk, curb or gutter bordering their property, either voluntarily or once the Board of Public Works issues written notice requiring it.
(a)Any property owner (which includes tenant, occupant or contractor) upon his own initiative and without notice may, or in case of written notice from the Board of Public Works or its designee as provided by law shall, construct, reconstruct, repair and grade a sidewalk and/or curb and/or gutter at the edge of a sidewalk and/or driveway and/or roadway and/or or alley abutting or bordering upon the property.(b)Such owner shall first make application to the City Engineer or his designee for a construction permit to be issued by such Board.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 18-35, the abutting property owner (a term that also covers a tenant, occupant or contractor) may repair a sidewalk, curb, gutter, driveway, roadway or alley bordering the property on their own initiative, but must do so once the Board of Public Works and Safety serves written notice. Before starting work, the owner applies to the City Engineer or a designee for a construction permit; the Board issues the permit after the City Engineer approves the application. 00 separate processing fee applies generally, but the fee is waived for curb or sidewalk repair done as in-kind replacement.
00 re-inspection fee. Section 18-36 requires the finished sidewalk, curb or gutter to sit at established grade, stay in good condition and perfect alignment, and shed water freely. The owner must notify the City Engineer before work starts and arrange inspection within two days of completion under § 18-37. If an owner fails to act within 30 days of a Board notice under § 18-38, the Board of Public Works and Safety performs the work itself and levies the cost as an assessment against the property under the City and Town Street, Alley and Other Public Improvement Act of 1969.
Violations & Fines
Working without the required construction permit is a separate offense under § 18-43: a fine of not less than $100.00 per day nor more than $1,000.00 per day accrues until an approved permit is obtained, on top of liability for the applicable permit fee back to the date construction began. The Department of Public Works or any affected individual may initiate enforcement by complaint. Separately, an owner who ignores a 30-day repair notice loses the choice of contractor: the Board completes the work and bills the owner through a special assessment under state improvement law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fixing a broken sidewalk in South Bend?
Do I need a permit to repair my own sidewalk in South Bend?
What happens if I ignore the city's sidewalk repair notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Bend
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