Wyoming, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who repairs
- Property owner abutting the sidewalk
- Notice period
- At least 15 days to complete repair
- If owner fails
- City engineer repairs, bills owner
- Unpaid bills
- Added to tax bill after 60 days, taxed as delinquent
Summary
In Wyoming, Michigan, the owner of property next to a public sidewalk is responsible for keeping it safe, not the city. Sec. 70-204 of the Code of Ordinances gives owners at least 15 days after notice from the city engineer to fix an unsafe sidewalk, or the city repairs it and bills the property.
No person shall permit any sidewalk adjoining property owned by him to fall into a state of disrepair or to become unsafe. Whenever the city engineer shall determine that a sidewalk is unsafe for use, notice in accordance with the provisions of section 1-25 shall be given to the owner of the lot or premises adjacent to and abutting upon the sidewalk. Such notice shall specify a reasonable time, not less than 15 days within which such repair must be made, and it shall thereafter be the duty of the owner to place the sidewalk in safe condition. If the owner of such lot or premises shall fail or refuse to repair the sidewalk within the time specified, then the city engineer shall have the sidewalk repaired. The cost of such repair shall be charged against the premises which the sidewalk adjoins.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 70-204 of the Wyoming Code of Ordinances states that no person shall permit any sidewalk adjoining property they own to fall into disrepair or become unsafe. When the city engineer determines a sidewalk is unsafe for use, the city gives notice under the Sec. 1-25 notice procedure to the owner of the abutting lot or premises. That notice must specify a reasonable time, not less than 15 days, within which the repair must be made, and it becomes the owner's duty to place the sidewalk in safe condition within that window.
If the owner fails or refuses to repair the sidewalk in time, the city engineer has it repaired directly, and the cost of that repair is charged against the abutting premises. Charges not paid within 60 days of billing are added to the property's next city tax bill and thereafter bear the same interest and penalties as delinquent property taxes. This puts the financial and legal responsibility for a public sidewalk squarely on the adjoining property owner, not on the city, unless the city itself is doing the repair work under a special assessment district per Sec. 70-203.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 70-204 does not create a separate civil-infraction fine; instead, an owner who ignores a repair notice faces the city doing the repair itself and billing the cost to the property. Unpaid repair charges are added to the next tax bill 60 days after billing and then accrue the same interest and penalties as delinquent property taxes under this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fixing a cracked public sidewalk in Wyoming, MI?
How long do I have to repair my sidewalk after the city notifies me?
What if I don't fix my sidewalk after the city's notice in Wyoming, MI?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wyoming
Compare Wyoming to another location·View the Michigan sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Kent County handle sidewalk repair.