Yes, landlords may apply for the sidewalk rebate for rental properties.

You are welcome to make repairs yourself or hire a contractor, as long as sidewalks are built to City specifications. You are responsible for obtaining a City construction permit before work begins.

To appropriately address any inadequate or unsafe walkway in need of attention, there are various remedies possible depending on the nature of the problem. Resetting or removal and replacement of a panel could occur, or patching, grinding, filling, or even vegetation removal could all be used to address the inadequacies, depending on the specific defect. Property owners are required to keep the sidewalk in good repair. If you have questions about how to abate a sidewalk that is out of compliance, City inspectors can help answer questions: 316-284-6020.

First, you or your contractor will need to pull a permit for the work. Then, after the old sidewalk has been removed and the site has been prepped for the new concrete, contact the Engineering Office to schedule an inspection before pouring the new concrete. 

Sidewalk construction details

You must retroactively pull a permit and have the project inspected; however, per section 6-116 of the City’s municipal code, you are subject to a late fee of an amount double the regular permit fee. This eligibility is only for work completed in 2020. Projects completed in 2021 without a permit will not be eligible for a rebate.

Unfortunately, the City is only able to offer this program for sidewalk violations issued in 2020 and 2021.

You are welcome to replace sections of sidewalk that were not marked by the City, but those repairs will not be eligible for the rebate program.

Tree situations will be evaluated by the City Horticulturist on a case-by-case basis to determine the best way to prevent future damage and still maintain the tree, if possible.

Sidewalks are considered inadequate or unsafe and in need of repair or replacement if they exhibit one or more of the following issues:

1. Vertical deviations of approximately 0.5" or greater, or less if a trip hazard is created.
2. Horizontal separations of 0.5" or greater between panels or on panels.
3. Cracking of a panel that splits it into four or more sections or cracking that constitutes a danger to the public.
4. Excessive cross-slope greater than 1/4" per foot or more across walk width.
5. Missing sidewalk panels or parts of panels.
6. Spalling or loose material over one-third of the panel including holes or depressions equal to or greater than 0.5" in depth.
7. Vegetation of any kind encroaching onto one-third or more of the sidewalk panel, or vegetation causing heaving of a panel or portion of a panel.
8. If a brick walk, and bricks are missing, settled, spalling, heaving, separating, or cracking, or if trip hazards exist.
9. If a historic stone walk, and stones are missing, settled, spalling, heaving, separating, or cracking, or if trip hazards exist.
10. If any sidewalk is not constructed in compliance with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Under State statute, it’s the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to keep public sidewalks in good repair and free of trip hazards. You could be liable if someone were injured on your unsafe sidewalk.