Commercial property owners know firsthand the risks of not keeping sidewalks in good operating condition - Personal injury lawyers are all too eager to threaten suits based on a crack resulting from an especially harsh winter or rainy season. But never fear even though commercial property owners the city will take care of it...kind of...but not relieve you of any legal or tort risks...
-See below for your new voter approved assessments in 2024-
Sidewalk Construction, Reconstruction and Repair
The construction, reconstruction and repair of sidewalks was, historically, the responsibility of adjacent property owners in Denver. In November 2022, a citizen-led ballot initiative approved by voters, known as Denver Deserves Sidewalks and Ordinance 307, shifted the responsibility of sidewalk construction and maintenance to the city and established a fee the city is to charge property owners to fund the sidewalk work.
Here’s a link to the full ordinance language.
NOTICE: In 2024, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) will begin charging property owners an annual fee to fund the construction, reconstruction and repair of sidewalks citywide.
The annual fee will be charged to property owners in conjunction with stormwater billing on a semi-annual basis (half-yearly). The charge is based on linear feet of property frontage and street type, with fees discounted by 20% for real property located in neighborhoods identified through the city's Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization (NEST) program.
When Will My Sidewalk Be Fixed?
Revenue received from new annual sidewalk charge will be placed in a special fund. Per Ordinance 307, the revenue is to be used to develop a master plan and near- and long-term strategy for a continuing program of sidewalk construction, reconstruction and repair.
DOTI will begin the master planning efforts in 2024 and will use the citywide implementation strategy to prioritize safety improvements across the city.
NEW: Estimate Your Annual Sidewalk Charge
Please note these rates are in effect for 2024. Any rate change would require a proposed amendment to current code and Denver City Council approval.
To use the lookup tool, click the search box and begin typing an address. Once you see your address of interest, click on it and the tool will update to show your estimated sidewalk charge for 2024.
The tool uses legal addresses from the assessor’s office, so directions (ex. N, S, E) are required.
For more help, here is a video demonstrating how to use this tool.
What if I've already repaired my sidewalk and it is in good condition?
The requirement to pay the sidewalk fee is not dependent upon having a sidewalk or whether or not a property owner has recently completed installation or repairs. The fee is a revenue source to fund maintenance and repair projects and new sidewalk installations to connect people to places and services citywide. Therefore, the city will not be issuing any refunds or exemptions from this fee.
My sidewalk was repaired during the Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program (NSRP), am I required to pay this fee?
Yes, the sidewalk fee is still required. The fee is a revenue source to fund maintenance and repair projects and new sidewalk installations to connect people to places and services citywide.
What about my flagstone sidewalk?
The ordinance states that the sidewalk master plan shall require sidewalks to be constructed, reconstructed and repaired to the minimum standard sidewalk widths identified in the city’s Complete Streets Guidelines for the type of street on which the sidewalk is located, unless the manager of transportation and infrastructure determines doing so is not reasonable or feasible.
The ordinance also states that the sidewalk master plan shall consider and direct the implementation of strategies to preserve flagstone sidewalks where the existing materials are substantially intact and it is possible to do so while still satisfying sidewalk master plan priorities and meeting sidewalk construction and condition standards.
What happens if I do not pay?
Ordinance 307 authorizes the City to place a lien on properties that are delinquent in the payment of fees.
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Will a widened or newly installed sidewalk increase my stormwater bill
Sidewalks installed or widened by the Denver Sidewalk Program will not increase billable impervious surface on your stormwater bill as public-use sidewalks are not chargeable.
Am I required to shovel/clear my sidewalk of snow?
Yes. Ordinance 307 does not relieve property owners of the snow clearing responsibility.