Portland Sidewalk Repair Notices and Driveway Permits: What Homeowners Should Know

Quick answer

In the City of Portland, the adjacent property owner is responsible for the sidewalk, curb and driveway along their frontage. PBOT inspects after complaints and issues Sidewalk Repair Notices for defects like a vertical step of one-half inch or more, and city code allows 60 days to repair. Any sidewalk or driveway work in the right-of-way needs a permit and inspection, and cutting street tree roots may need an Urban Forestry permit.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Few things surprise new Portland homeowners like a Sidewalk Repair Notice in the mail. Unlike many cities, Portland places the responsibility for the sidewalk in front of a property on the adjacent owner. Add driveway permits and street tree rules, and a small concrete job at the front of the lot can involve more paperwork than people expect. This guide explains how it works in the City of Portland, based on PBOT's published information, and what to ask a contractor. Rules and fees change, so always confirm current details with the city.

Who is responsible for Portland sidewalks?

According to the City of Portland, the adjacent property owner is responsible for maintaining sidewalks, curbs and driveways that abut their property, including damage caused by street trees. Owners are also responsible for getting the permits needed to build, rebuild or maintain them. That's true even though the sidewalk sits in the public right-of-way rather than on your lot.

If you live in Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, West Linn or another city, the rules can be different. Contact your city's public works or engineering department to find out who maintains sidewalks and what permits apply.

How a sidewalk repair notice happens

PBOT explains that after someone reports a hazardous sidewalk, its inspectors check that location and nearby sidewalks. When they find defects, PBOT issues a legal affidavit called a Sidewalk Repair Notice to the adjacent, responsible owners. That means a notice can arrive even if you didn't know there was a complaint, and neighbors on the same block may receive notices at the same time.

What defects get cited

PBOT lists common reasons for a notice, including:

Trip hazards: a vertical step between panels of one-half inch or more
Openings and cracks: gaps or cracks one-half inch wide or wider
Spalling: surface chipped or deteriorated one-half inch deep or more

Your notice should show which panels need repair. Take photos and measure before talking to contractors so everyone is working from the same list.

How long you have

PBOT says Portland City Code allows 60 days to repair the sidewalk after receiving a notice, and owners should get a reminder about 30 days in. If the repairs aren't made, PBOT will hire a private contractor, make the repairs and bill the owner. PBOT notes that the city performs full square replacements when it does the work, and that assessments can be financed in some cases. Check the notice and PBOT's sidewalk repair page for the current process.

Your options

Hire a contractor. Many concrete contractors do sidewalk repair notice work. They should be licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, which lists concrete as work requiring a license. PBOT suggests withholding final or full payment until the work passes the city's final inspection.
Do it yourself. PBOT publishes a Sidewalk Repair Manual and a standard detail for owners who do their own repairs. A permit is still required.
Let the city do it. PBOT's contractor makes the repair and the city bills you.

PBOT also notes that contractors may contact you after a notice goes out, and you're under no obligation to hire them. Compare quotes the same way you would for any concrete job.

Permits and fees

Sidewalk, curb and driveway repairs in the right-of-way need a PBOT permit. PBOT says fees are based on the square footage of sidewalk and driveway and the length of curb, with minimum and maximum amounts that are updated each fiscal year. Obstructions in the work area, such as plantings or structures, need to be cleared before a permit is issued. Ask whether your contractor's price includes the permit fee and who will schedule inspections.

Street trees and roots

Street trees are one of the biggest causes of lifted sidewalks in Portland, and owners are responsible for that damage too. But you shouldn't just cut the roots. PBOT's sidewalk repair page points owners to a Street Tree Root Pruning Permit through Portland Urban Forestry, and street tree removal is also regulated, so check what your job needs. Before work starts, ask the contractor:

Will the repair require cutting roots, and if so, who gets the Urban Forestry permit?
Can the panel be reshaped, ramped or curved around the root instead?
How will the new panel be protected from the same root lifting it again?

PBOT notes that its two-year guarantee on city-made repairs doesn't cover later damage from tree roots, which is a good reminder that roots can return.

Driveways need permits too

PBOT says that installing or changing a driveway in the City of Portland always requires a permit. Here's how it breaks down:

Right-of-way portion. The apron, curb cut and sidewalk crossing need a PBOT permit, either a Minor Improvement Permit or a Public Works Permit depending on scope.
Private property portion. Paving on your lot may need a separate permit from Portland Permitting & Development, and the public and private parts get separate inspections.
Curb cuts. PBOT can only authorize curb cuts that serve legal vehicle parking or loading spaces, and may close driveways that don't.
Other agencies. Driveways onto ODOT or Multnomah County roads need permits from those agencies, and utility poles in the way involve the utility.

PBOT also notes that when you apply for a land use action or building permit, the city may require changes to an existing driveway that doesn't meet current standards. If you're planning an ADU or addition, ask about the driveway early.

Water meters and utilities

Water meter boxes, valve covers and other utility fixtures are often in or next to the sidewalk and driveway apron. Contractors should work around them carefully, and moving a meter box involves your water provider, such as the Portland Water Bureau inside the city. Oregon also requires a locate request through 811 at least two business days before digging, which covers buried lines in the planting strip.

Questions to ask a contractor

What's your CCB license number, and do you regularly handle PBOT sidewalk notices?
Does your price include the permit, and will you schedule the inspections?
Will you replace full panels between joints, and will the work meet the city's standard detail?
How will you handle tree roots and any Urban Forestry permit?
When will you finish relative to the 60-day deadline?

The bottom line

A sidewalk repair notice is a deadline, not an emergency, but it's worth acting on early, since contractors get busy in the dry season. Read the notice, measure and photograph the panels, get a few quotes from licensed contractors, and confirm permits and inspections are part of the plan. The same approach applies to any driveway work that touches the street.

Got a notice or planning a driveway change? Request a sidewalk or driveway contractor and include a photo of the notice. You can also read more about sidewalks and walkways in Portland.

Frequently asked questions

Am I responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house in Portland?

Yes. The City of Portland makes the adjacent property owner responsible for maintaining sidewalks, curbs and driveways along their frontage, including damage caused by street trees.

What happens if I ignore a sidewalk repair notice?

PBOT says that if repairs aren't made within the allowed time, the city will hire a contractor to make them and bill the property owner. It's usually better to compare quotes and handle it yourself.

Do I need a permit to repair my own sidewalk?

Yes. PBOT requires a permit for sidewalk, curb and driveway work in the right-of-way, even when the owner does the work, and the repair must pass inspection.

Sources and further reading

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