It shall be unlawful for any person(s), firm or corporation to construct, reconstruct, relocate, remove or repair (hereafter “construct/construction”) any sidewalk on public property, or on private property and designed for public use, within the City of Ottawa, except as provided for by this article.

(Code 2015)

It shall be the responsibility of the owner of any property abutting a public sidewalk to keep the sidewalk in repair.  The City may, after giving notice as required by law, make necessary repairs, and the cost for such repairs shall be assessed against the property by ordinance. 

(K.S.A. 12-1808; Code 2015)

A permit is required for sidewalk construction.  Plans for sidewalk construction or other improvements may be presented to the Public Works Department for courtesy review.  Inspection of construction in progress may be made by the Public Works Department upon request of the property owner.  Design, construction and maintenance of sidewalks according to this Article and other applicable law shall be the responsibility of the property owner.  The Public Works Department shall have available “Typical Sidewalk Construction Drawings” illustrating examples of specifications in this article.  In the event of conflict between those drawings and this article, this article shall prevail.

Sidewalks shall be constructed with approved materials according to standards in this article and current federal, state and local guidelines, and shall conform to specific access requirements related to disabled persons.

(K.S.A. 12-1802; Code 2015)

Unless otherwise approved by the City, public sidewalks shall be located within the public right-of-way (street) generally at the limits of the public right-of-way, such that the edge of the sidewalk approximates the property line.  The property owner shall be responsible to determine this location. 

Sidewalks shall be concrete no less than four inches (4”) thick (see Driveways, Article V) and five feet (5') wide, except when the sidewalk is immediately adjacent to the street or back of curb.  When the sidewalk is immediately adjacent to the street or back of curb, the sidewalk shall be no less than six feet (6') wide.  To provide for appropriate drainage, sidewalks shall slope toward the street, and should be at such an elevation as to provide drainage toward the street from the sidewalk.  To provide for access by disabled persons, the change in sidewalk elevation, either running slope or cross slope, shall not exceed that permitted by current federal, state and local guidelines.  

The intent is to keep components of utility systems out of sidewalks.  Where the proposed location of the sidewalk is in conflict with existing utilities (i.e. meters, valves, manholes, etc.) the conflict must be resolved among the utility owner, the City and the property owner prior to sidewalk construction.

In addition to any civil remedy, including compensatory damages and injunctive relief, violation of any of the provisions of this article is punishable in Municipal Court by a fine of up to one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day for each violation.