Tucson, AZ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Under City Code Sec. 25-12, every owner or agent of property abutting and fronting a plaza, street or alley in Tucson must keep the adjoining public sidewalk in good order and repair. The ordinance makes that duty a source of direct liability: an owner is liable to the city for any losses the city suffers, or for damage recoveries against the city, arising from a failure to repair and keep the sidewalk in good order and reasonably safe condition. Enforcement runs through the director of public works.

The city may, at its discretion, notify an owner that repairs are necessary, and once notified the owner has only ten days to complete the specified repairs, working under the department's supervision. " A permit is required to make sidewalk repairs under this section, but Sec. 25-12(b) waives the permit fee entirely unless the work also changes the sidewalk's grade, location or dimensions, so a straightforward like-for-like repair costs the owner nothing to permit. This sits within Chapter 25, Article I (Repairs and Improvements in Public Rights-of-Way), alongside companion sections on construction standards (Sec. 25-9), inspection (Sec. 25-10), and grade conformance (Sec. 25-8), all administered by the city engineer and the street and sidewalk inspector.