Sidewalks
Please call 503-823-1711 for information or email sidewalkrepair@portlandoregon.gov.
The Sidewalk Program oversees the maintenance of City sidewalks, curbs, and corners. The City maintains over 37,000 corners and over 3,200 miles of curbs that create the edge of the sidewalk system. The City Charter assigns responsibility for the maintenance of sidewalks to the owner of the abutting property.
The Sidewalk Section:
- maintains sidewalks, curbs and corners
- inspects and issues permits for sidewalk repairs
- provides curb ramps in the downtown and commercial areas to conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The City has the responsibility to inspect the safety of over 8,600,000 square yards of city sidewalks. Business and residential property owners must keep them in good repair based on this inspection and must repair any posted deficiencies that make the sidewalk unsafe. Bureau inspectors assess sidewalks and notify the property owner of needed repairs. In the event timely repairs are not made by the property owner, Transportation Maintenance hires a private contractor to make the repairs and bills the property owner for the costs.
The key reason we have curbs is to direct water away from the edge of the street to drains. Curbs channel water to drain the edge of pavement quickly, preserve the pavement edge, and provide the edge of our pedestrian network. Poor curb condition could make it difficult for you to step into the street safely. Accessible corners are the key to safe crossing at intersections by pedestrians.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), contains provisions that significantly affect facilties within the public right-of-way. The ADA requires the City to provide curb ramps in the downtown and commerical areas. The program continues to upgrade existing corners to ADA standards.