Rehabilitation & Payment Options
When a Notice to Repair is created as part of a Sidewalk Safety Program in a neighborhood, inspections have been completed and were used to determine the work being required, the estimated quantities, and costs of the required repairs. The notice also establishes a deadline for when this required work is to be completed.
Permanent Repair
The only acceptable method to make a permanent repair of a condemned block of sidewalk or driveway is to replace the full-block from joint to joint.
All work, whether completed by the property owner or a licensed, bonded contractor is to be constructed to City Standards. Concrete bag mix is NOT permitted. Concrete is required to be ready-mix, ODOT “Class C”, formed, placed, finished, and sealed to City Standard, which will require inspection by the city inspector. Concrete sidewalk shall be five inches (5”) thick. Concrete driveways, which may only be constructed by contractors, shall be seven inches (7”) thick.
Three options are available to complete permanent repairs:
1) Hire a Licensed Contractor
The City requires that all contractors doing sidewalk work be a Licensed Street Contractor with the Department of Transportation & Engineering. This provides protection for the property owner because the contractor posts a bond that insures the work for one year. If the sidewalk becomes defective within one year, the contractor is required to replace it.
An estimate of the cost to have the City do the work is included in the Notice to Repair to help you evaluate the bids from contractors. By hiring a contractor, you can avoid administrative fees that are included when the City completes the work.
All work requires a permit to be issued by the DOTE Right-of-Way Permit & License Office and must be completed to the City's Standard using ODOT "Class C" ready-mix.
Hire a Licensed Residential Street Contractor
View Recommendations for Hiring a Contractor
2) Replace the Sidewalk Yourself
You may replace your own sidewalk if the replacement required is less than 65 square feet (about three blocks). You may not repair driveways (areas over which a vehicle travels) or structural slabs yourself unless you are licensed to do so by the City. This work must be completed by a Licensed Street Contractor.
All work requires a permit to be issued by the DOTE Right-of-Way Permit & License Office and must be completed to the City's Standard using ODOT "Class C" ready-mix.
Apply for a Right of Way Access Permit
3) City Replacement
The City contractor will complete the required work if the property owner chooses this option or if the work is not completed by the deadline stated on the Notice to Repair.
The City offers two payment options for property owners to pay their repair bill:
- Pay the balance by the due date. No partial payments are accepted.
- Have the balance due collected with your property taxes.
Assessing Balance to Property Taxes
When assessing the balance due to property taxes, there are four options including an option for senior citizens or totally and permanently disabled persons.
If the City repairs your sidewalk or driveway apron, you can choose to have the balance due assessed to your property taxes by selecting one of the following terms:
- 3-year semi-annual payments (total of six payments)
- 5-year semi-annual payments (total of ten payments)
- 10-year semi-annual payments (total of twenty payments)
For information about the Homestead Exemption Requirements, visit the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office webpage or call:
Call the Hamilton County Auditor's Office
513-946-4099
If you wish to take advantage of one of these payment options, please check the appropriate box on the bill and return it. If the balance due is not paid and no payment option is selected, the balance due will be automatically collected with the property taxes at a default 3-year semi-annual payment term. These payments are made with the property tax payments to the County Treasurer.
Payment Option Questions
513-352-4503
SidewalkSafetyProgram@cincinnati-oh.gov