Sidewalk Repairs

Sidewalk Repair Notices

Borough staff receive complaints regarding sidewalk hazards on a rolling basis throughout the year. If Borough Engineering staff deem any sidewalk a hazard, whether there has been a complaint or not, staff will put the property owner on notice to remedy the hazard within 120 days per Borough Code. 

If the sidewalk identified as a hazard is outside of the inspection area for a given year, it is up to the property owner to remedy the issue themselves or hire their own contractor.

Annual Sidewalk Project

Sidewalks in the residential sections of the Borough are inspected on a four-year cycle, and Downtown sidewalks are inspected every other year.  For more information on the Annual Sidewalk Project and to see when your neighborhood will be inspected, please visit the Sidewalk Project Page by clicking the link above.

Three criteria are used when inspecting the walks:

• Horizontal alignment
• Surface deterioration
• Vertical alignment

Sidewalk blocks that are identified as out of compliance are marked with a discrete, white dot. Property owners receive a notice along with an inspection report for each block containing pictures of the block(s).

The Borough annually hires a contractor to perform only for full replacements (no patching, grinding and/or lifting), and only within the sidewalk project inspection area for a given year.  

Should property owners want to hire their own contractor, there are several local contractors who do sidewalks work, including grinding and/or lifting.  They can be found by searching “sidewalk contractors State College PA” or “sidewalk repair State College PA.”  

Specifications for Repairs and Replacement

If you plan to repair your own sidewalks or hire a private contractor to make the repairs, you must adhere to certain specifications. The Borough has outlined the specifications for repairing or replacing sidewalk blocks in a pamphlet that you can obtain online or by calling the Public Works Department.

View the Repair and Replacement Specifications (PDF).

Repair Examples

Various Sidewalk Repair Methods.pdf

Issues Caused by Trees

If a tree root has caused your sidewalk problem, you may avoid future problems by following the Borough's Sidewalk Conflict Letter (PDF). The Borough Arborist may be contacted for further information on reducing tree/sidewalk conflicts.

Questions

Questions regarding a Sidewalk Repair Notice or repair criteria can be addressed by emailing the Sidewalks Division or by calling the Department during normal business hours at 814-234-7140.