Troy, NY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Chapter 251 of the Code of the City of Troy, titled the Public Street Ordinance, assigns sidewalk upkeep to the person next to the walk. Section 251-4 makes it the duty of the owner or occupant, in whole or in part, of any lot or part of a lot fronting upon any street in the City to keep the gutter and sidewalk in front of it cleaned and in good order and condition and to the true grade. The same sentence requires repair of the flagging and bricks or other materials of the sidewalk and of the curbstone or other materials of the gutter, and it bars the owner or occupant from letting stagnant or filthy water remain in the gutter.

Because the section says "owner or occupant," both a tenant in possession and the landlord who holds title are named. The definition in § 251-2 reads STREET as "all public streets, avenues, highways, squares, alleys, lanes, public grounds and sidewalks in the City," so the sidewalk is treated as part of the street for every rule in the chapter.

The duty reaches beyond the text of the code. Owners and occupants must also observe and obey any lawful resolution passed by the City Council on the subject, and any printed or written notice served on them by the Commissioner of Public Works or by any member of the Troy police force directing that the sidewalk and gutter be put in good order and repaired. Nothing in § 251-4 prevents the City Council from ordering the repairs made itself and having the expense assessed according to law.

Two neighboring rules matter during a repair. Section 251-11(A) sets the fee for permits for repairs to sidewalks and water/sewer lines with the erection of barricades at $75 for an initial fee and $50 per month thereafter. Section 251-3(A) separately makes it unlawful to place or maintain on the sidewalk opposite your lot any article, thing, box, fence or structure that obstructs or impedes the full and free use of the sidewalk, except as the chapter expressly provides.