Fixing Broken Sidewalks

Sidewalks in many cities, including Los Angeles, have been neglected and are in serious disrepair, making them less accessible, especially for people with disabilities. Cities should require property owners to repair broken sidewalks before selling their property, ensuring gradual but inevitable improvements without raising taxes. This article outlines how localities can mandate sidewalk repairs while developing public programs to incentivize individual property owners to repair public sidewalks, thereby improving public infrastructure and decreasing opportunities for trip-and-fall lawsuits. These programs can include options for owners to defer payment until the sale, use private contractors, or accept a lien, ensuring compliance and steady progress in sidewalk repairs.