Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about Denver's Sidewalk Program on our Program Overview page.

It’s important for the program to have a plan, vetted by Denverites, that guides where and when the program repairs and builds out the sidewalk network. The revised sidewalk ordinance, which created Denver’s Sidewalk Program, helps guides what this plan should include.

For 2026, the annual rates are:

• $150 per year for approximately 96% of property owners
• Properties with more than 230 linear feet of frontage abutting the public right-of-way will pay $150 base rate, plus $3.50 per foot of frontage over 230 feet

At locations where sidewalks don't currently exist, property owners will pay either the flat fee or flat fee with impact fee, based on the length of frontage to the public right-of-way.

Yes, the service charge applies to all Denver property owners, including those with existing sidewalks in good condition. All property owners contribute to provide access to a complete, safe, and reliable sidewalk network in Denver.

Yes, the service charge applies to all Denver property owners. All property owners contribute to provide access to a complete, safe, and reliable sidewalk network in Denver.

Properties without an existing sidewalk are also subject to the service charge. These properties are billed based on their frontage that abuts the public right-of-way. 

Properties with frontage that abuts private property (not public right-of-way) are not charged for that specific frontage but are still subject to the base annual service charge.

DOTI uses the Assessor's Office data and a GIS application to separate parcel polygons into individual line segments. For each of these segments, GIS tools are used to determine length and whether it is along a public right-of-way. For each account, the lengths of all segments along a public right-of-way are summed to calculate frontage.

Please contact DOTI Utility Billing at sidewalkbilling@denvergov.org or (303) 446-3500.

No, nonprofit organizations are not exempt from the sidewalk service charge and do not receive any reductions. All property owners contribute to provide access to a complete, safe, and reliable sidewalk network in Denver.

All property owners are responsible for the sidewalk service charge. An instant rebate is available for households with an income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). A full table of AMI limits can be found here).

For more information on applying for an instant Sidewalk Fee rebate, visit denvergov.org/DOTIrebates. Note that instant rebates are not available for non-profits, governmental organizations, or group accounts.

The Denver Revised Municipal Code authorizes the city to place a lien on properties that are delinquent in the payment of fees.

Sidewalk damage caused by trees is complicated to correct because disturbing tree roots can weaken or kill trees. Spot repair requests involving trees may require greater time to consult with forestry experts and contractors with experience in dealing with these issues, and in some cases will not be addressed through spot repair as the location needs additional design work prior to construction.

DOTI does not currently have a timeline for when specific segments of sidewalk will be installed or fixed as part of the new sidewalk program.

The city is currently developing a Sidewalk Implementation Plan as required by the ordinance, which will include an initial investment plan. The Plan will detail the path forward for building and upgrading sidewalks across the city in both the short term and the long term. Learn more about the Sidewalk Implementation Plan and opportunities to get involved: hdenvergov.org/SIP.

At this time, the city will not be repairing or widening flagstone sidewalks. The program will document existing flagstone, evaluate cost to reset existing flagstone, and develop guidance that balances existing neighborhood character, accessibility, cost, and feasibility. The Sidewalk Implementation Plan will develop strategies and approaches to preserve flagstone sidewalks.

The public right-of-way on most streets in Denver includes the street itself, from curb to curb, and then extends behind the curb anywhere from 5 to 20 feet (or more or less) depending on where you are in the city. Existing sidewalks are most often included in this public right-of-way. In areas where there is no sidewalk, there is often still public right-of way behind the curb.

The Sidewalk Program is still evaluating this as part of the planning process, and details may evolve. Currently, the Program covers certain costs related to damage, repairs, or relocation of features such as sprinkler systems. If any portion of your property’s irrigation system is damaged as a result of sidewalk work, Denver’s Sidewalk Program will repair the affected components to restore the system to its original condition.

However, if landscaping or hardscaping, such as flower beds, lawns, fencing, or retaining walls, are located within the public right-of-way, property owners are expected to remove and relocate those elements at their own expense.

If you notice any damage to your irrigation system from recent sidewalk repair work in your neighborhood, report it at denvergov.org/report. In the “What can we help you with?” section select “Damage Caused by Concrete Repair” or “Other.” If you select “Other,” describe the issue in as much detail as possible including indicating “sidewalk construction damage to landscaping and/or sprinkler system” and additional details about what was damaged and where the damage is located. Our team will follow up and make repairs if needed.

Several months before construction, land surveyors will check for potential conflicts between private property lines and sidewalk gap construction. Any special landscaping or hardscape (fences, walls, boulders, etc) in the right-of-way will be noted.

Several weeks prior to construction, the city project team will contact property owners and residents with a door flyer or by mail to share project background, construction impacts and contact information.  The city project team will work with property owners to address structures, plantings or other private property that must be moved. There may, on rare occasions, be properties that will require very limited property acquisition in order to install the sidewalk.

Two days before construction, door hangers will be placed by the construction contractor.  Door hangers will contain basic parking and construction information, as well as contact information for the hotline, website, and project manager.  Homeowners are advised to keep their door hangers until construction is complete.  The project team will post regular community updates through the city webpage as sidewalk construction progresses.

“No Parking” signs will be placed on the street immediately prior to construction and remain for the duration of the project. While street parking will be restricted, the street will remain open as much as possible for cars and pedestrians. Preparing, pouring, and curing a single city block of new sidewalk takes approximately two weeks.

During construction concrete is poured into forms to create the new sidewalk. If required, the asphalt, existing curb, gutter, and immediate sidewalk area may be dug up to allow for construction of new pedestrian ramps. Construction tape and barriers protect the concrete while it cures. Bad weather may delay construction.  Once the concrete cures, the forms are removed, the soil backfilled, and the asphalt is patched.

If a garden wall, fence or other private property is located within City right-of-way, it may have to be disturbed or removed in order to accommodate construction of the new sidewalk and pedestrian ramps. The City is not responsible for replacing fences or other hardscaping installed on City property. 

Additional information

• Encroachments in the Public Right of Way
• Project Guide for Fences

Construction crews are instructed to keep landscape and tree removals to a minimum and will only disturb what is necessary to install the new sidewalk and pedestrian ramps. City project managers will contact homeowners in advance of construction so that, where possible, landscaping can be safely removed by the homeowner for replanting after sidewalk construction is complete. In the case of mature trees, the City Forester may be called upon for additional consultation.

Further information

• City Forester rules

YES and NO. 24-48 hours before construction begins, the City’s contractor will put up “No Parking” signs on your block. You will not be able to park in the immediate area during construction in order to leave room for construction vehicles, materials and personnel.

However, only the immediate area around the construction site will have restricted parking. Other parts of the street may not be impacted.

If trash, recycling, and compost are picked up in front of your residence, please move your bins across the street and out of the construction area to ensure weekly trash collection. Trash collection will resume on your side of the street once the 'NO PARKING' signs are removed.

In some cases, part of a driveway or driveway apron may have to be reconstructed to work seamlessly with the new sidewalk, curb, and gutter.  Residents can expect to lose access to their driveways for 3-5 days.  If daily driveway access is essential, the project manager will work with the resident to craft temporary access during construction.

If your HOA receives your semi-annual stormwater bill, then your HOA will receive the sidewalk bill as well. Please check with your homeowners’ association to confirm and discuss with them how they are splitting this cost among everyone within your HOA.

If sidewalks are within the public right-of-way, the city is responsible for building, repairing, and maintaining them according to city standard, but not to other criteria that may exist within a Home Owner Association (HOA), Business Improvement District (BID), or General Improvement District (GID). Sidewalks along private roads within your HOA are not included in the sidewalk fee frontage calculations and therefore the city is not responsible for building or maintaining them.

Even if your Home Owner Association (HOA), Business Improvement District (BID), or General Improvement District (GID) already charge a sidewalk maintenance fee, properties are still responsible for paying the city's Sidewalk Fee, which covers sidewalks along the public right-of-way. Please contact your association or district for more information about their separate sidewalk plans for private roads.

The city will work to minimize the need to acquire private property to build sidewalks by exploring its options on a site-specific basis. In cases where a sidewalk cannot be built to meet minimum city standards within the existing public right-of-way, we will need to acquire a small amount of private property. In these instances, the city is required to pay the property owner fair market value for the land needed for the sidewalk.

The Denver Revised Municipal Code does not change any existing requirements for developers or individuals to improve sidewalks adjacent to their property as a condition of development of redevelopment.

The adjacent property owner or resident is responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalk and the pedestrian ramps adjoining their property. The resident is responsible for clearing the sidewalk and ramps of snow, leaves and debris.

Please see additional information at denvergov.org/snow. 

Yes. Ordinance 307 does not relieve property owners of the snow clearing responsibility.

Denver is working with shared bike and scooter operators to improve parking and keep sidewalks clear. The City is adding more designated parking corrals so riders have convenient, clearly marked places to leave bikes and scooters. New tools will help confirm proper parking, send reminders to riders, and support better parking habits through education.

Beginning in 2026, repeat parking violations may result in fines. Mis-parked bikes and scooters can be reported through Denver 311.

The Snow Angels program is an initiative of the City and County of Denver aimed at helping Denver residents in need of assistance shoveling their front sidewalks during the cold winter months.

These can be older active adults, neighbors living with a disability, residents who are temporarily ill, and those physically unable to shovel.

To request the help of a volunteer Snow Angel, submit a form at denvergov.org/snowangels or contact SnowAngels@denvergov.org; 720-913-SNOW (7669).