Sidewalk repair & replacement in Philadelphia

Who is responsible for the sidewalk?

In Philadelphia the property owner is. The Streets Department says sidewalks, alleys, driveways and retaining walls “are private property” and that the City “does not own or maintain them.” Philadelphia Code § 11-505 puts it in law: sidewalks along public streets “shall be graded, curbed, paved and kept in repair at the expense of the owners of the land fronting thereon.” Under the same section, the owner of a corner property keeps the curb in repair.

Repair or replace?

A contractor will usually suggest one of these, depending on how bad the slabs are:

• Patching or grinding for small cracks and low trip lips. Angi lists patching, repouring and grinding at about $4–$9 per square foot in Philadelphia.
• Mudjacking (slab lifting) for slabs that sank but are otherwise whole. Angi lists $4–$20 per square foot.
• Removing and repouring slabs when concrete is broken, badly heaved, or lifted by roots. Angi lists small slab replacement at $900–$2,800+.

If the City has issued a notice, ask the inspector or the Highway District what work will satisfy it before you choose a method.

What the City’s standard calls for

The Streets Department’s Right-of-Way Improvement Standards describe a standard concrete sidewalk section:

• Prepared subgrade, then 4 inches of PennDOT 2A stone subbase, compacted
• 4-inch-thick concrete as the standard, and 6 inches at all corners and on narrow streets
• Cross slope of 1% minimum and 2% maximum, so water drains to the curb without making the walk hard to use
• Brick or paver sidewalks laid on a 4-inch concrete base: set in thin-set mortar at corners, and in a 1-inch sand bed mid-block

The same document says the Department discourages non-standard sidewalk paving, because it is hard to replace. Ask your contractor to confirm the thickness and slope they will use. These are the numbers the City checks against.

Who is allowed to do the work

Work on a sidewalk or curb in the public right-of-way isn’t a handyman job in Philadelphia. The City’s rules say:

• Curb Setter License. L&I requires this license “to do work on curbs and sidewalks in the right-of-way.” It is renewed every year and comes with a $1,000 performance bond.
• Curb and Footway Permit. The City’s Development Checklist says this permit is required for “any alteration, reconstruction, or repair of sidewalks in the City of Philadelphia.” The application must come from a contractor with a valid Curb Setter License and include a plot plan.
• Lines and grades. Code § 11-505 requires the contractor to get the lines and grades from the district surveyor before starting. Jobs with 30 feet of curb or more also need the district survey office.

Ask any contractor for their Curb Setter License and proof of insurance before you sign. Under § 11-505, the Streets Department can tear out a sidewalk or curb that was built to the wrong specifications and file a lien for the cost of redoing it.

What it costs

Angi’s Philadelphia average is $1,525, with most jobs from $812 to $2,359. Demolition runs $2–$5 per square foot, and disposal can add up to $200 per ton. Full cost guide.