How to Remove a Sidewalk Violation in NYC: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you own property in New York City, you are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk in front of your property. Sidewalk violations can be issued for a variety of reasons, such as cracks, potholes, or uneven surfaces. If you receive a sidewalk violation notice, you must take action to correct the issue or face higher repair costs and liens.

Understanding Sidewalk Violations in NYC

Sidewalk violations in NYC are issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). If you receive a violation, you will be given a deadline to make the necessary repairs. If you fail to meet the deadline, the city will make the repairs and charge you for the repairs, which is generally much higher than hiring a local contractor to do the same repairs.

Key Takeaways

• Sidewalk violations in NYC can result in higher repair costs and a lien on your property if not handled before the deadline.
• To dismiss a sidewalk violation, you must make the necessary repairs and request a sidewalk violation dismissal by contacting 311.
• If you receive a sidewalk violation notice, it is important to take action quickly to avoid further consequences.

Steps to Dismiss Sidewalk Violations

If you have received a notice of violation for your sidewalk, here are the steps you need to take to have it dismissed:

1. Review the Violation Notice: The first step is to review the notice of violation you received carefully. Make sure you understand the reason for the violation and the specific section that needs to be repaired. Also, take a look at the date the violation was issued, as you have 75 days to make the repairs.
2. Contact a Local Sidewalk Repair Contractor: Once you understand what repairs are needed, contact a few local sidewalk repair contractors to get some estimates.
   Note* Make sure you don't just go for the lowest price, as the quality of concrete/work can cause you to do more work sooner than expected.
3. Schedule a date to complete the work: Once you agree on which contractor to use and a price to do the work, you can schedule a date to have the sidewalk repaired.
4. Schedule a Sidewalk Violation Dismissal: When the work is completed, you can contact 311 to schedule a re-inspection so that the sidewalk violation can be dismissed and satisfied.

Can You Contest a Sidewalk Violation?

Yes, you can contest a sidewalk violation. If the details on the violation notice does not match your sidewalk or you feel is incorrect, you can contact 311 to appeal the sidewalk violation. Once the DOT reviews the appeal, they will schedule a re-inspection and come back out to look at the property within 180 days. After the property is re-inspected, this will be considered the 'final inspection' and the results of this inspection will be sent to you.

Ready to move forward with an estimate or have questions about your violation? Give us a call today so we can walk you through the process and provide a free estimate so we can work towards getting your violation dismissed.
Call us now at 718-301-8242.