In the City of Portland, the adjacent owner is responsible for the sidewalk, curb and driveway along their frontage, including street tree damage. PBOT issues Sidewalk Repair Notices for defects such as a vertical step of one-half inch or more, and repairs need a permit and inspection. Private walks last when they're built on a compacted base and drain well.
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In Portland, sidewalks are a homeowner topic in a way they aren't in many cities. The City of Portland makes the adjacent property owner responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, curb and driveway along their frontage, including damage from street trees. That means a lifted panel in front of your house can turn into a repair notice. Private walks and steps matter too, especially on the sloped lots common across the metro.
Common walkway projects
- Repairs ordered by a PBOT Sidewalk Repair Notice
- New front walks from the driveway or street to the door
- Concrete steps and landings on hillside and split-level lots
- Side-yard and garden paths
- Widening a walk for strollers, walkers or wheelchairs
Portland sidewalk repair notices
After a complaint, PBOT inspectors check the sidewalk and nearby frontages, then send a Sidewalk Repair Notice to the responsible owners. PBOT lists common defects as a vertical step of one-half inch or more, cracks or gaps one-half inch or wider, and surface spalling one-half inch deep or more. City code allows 60 days to make repairs after a notice. Owners can do the work, hire a contractor, or let the city hire one and bill them. Either way a permit is required, with fees based on square footage. PBOT recommends holding final payment until the work passes the city's final inspection. Details and current fees are on PBOT's sidewalk repair page, and our sidewalk notice and driveway permit guide walks through it.
Outside Portland city limits, responsibility and permits vary by city. Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego and West Linn each have their own public works or engineering rules, so check before replacing a public sidewalk panel.
Street trees and roots
Street trees are the most common reason Portland sidewalks lift. Cutting large roots can harm a tree, and Portland Urban Forestry has a street tree root pruning permit process, so check with the city before any roots are cut. Options include ramping or reshaping the walk around the root, grinding a small edge, or replacing the panel with a curve. Get the tree question answered before the crew starts cutting.
Building a walk that stays flat
A walk is poured over compacted soil and a crushed-rock base, with a slight cross-slope so rain sheds off instead of puddling and freezing in a cold snap. Control joints are tooled at regular intervals, and isolation joints separate the walk from steps, the house and the driveway. Shaded walks under Douglas firs and big maples grow moss, so a broom or exposed aggregate finish is safer than a smooth one.
Steps
Steps need even risers and treads so nobody trips. Steps that serve an entry may fall under building code rules, including handrails above a set number of risers, and requirements depend on the city. Ask whether a permit is needed.
Repair or replace?
- Hairline cracks are usually cosmetic.
- Sunken panels that are intact can often be lifted. See concrete repair and leveling.
- Broken, heaved or flaking panels are usually replaced joint to joint. The city's own repairs are full square replacements.
Questions to ask
- Are you licensed with the Oregon CCB, and will you pull the PBOT or city permit?
- How will you handle tree roots, and do we need an Urban Forestry permit?
- What base and thickness will you use, and will the work meet the city's standard?
- When will the final inspection happen?
Got a notice or a trip hazard? Request a walkway contractor and include a photo of the notice and the panels.
See how it works
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to fix a Portland sidewalk repair notice?
PBOT says city code allows 60 days to repair the sidewalk after a notice. If repairs aren't made, PBOT can hire a contractor and bill the owner. Check the notice and PBOT's sidewalk repair page for current details.
Can I cut street tree roots to fix my sidewalk?
Not without checking first. PBOT points owners to a street tree root pruning permit through Portland Urban Forestry, so ask the city what your work needs. A contractor can often reshape or ramp the walk instead of cutting major roots.
Who fixes sidewalks in Beaverton, Gresham or Hillsboro?
Each city sets its own rules on responsibility and permits for public sidewalks. Contact the city's public works or engineering department before replacing a sidewalk panel along the street.
Sources and further reading
- Oregon Construction Contractors Board: license requirements
- Oregon CCB: Guide to home improvement contracts
- Portland Bureau of Transportation: driveways
- Portland Bureau of Transportation: sidewalk repair notices
- Portland Permitting & Development: outside work permits
- Portland Bureau of Environmental Services: Clean River Rewards
- Portland Water Bureau
- City of Gresham Permit Services
- OSU Extension: clay soil challenges for Oregon gardeners
- DOGAMI: landslide hazard and risk study, Multnomah County (IMS-57)
- National Weather Service Portland
- Oregon 811: call before you dig
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)