Repairing Your Concrete Sidewalk & Curb.
In the City of Hamilton, the property owner is responsible for keeping the sidewalk, curb and gutter next to his or her lot safe and in good condition (Section 521.06 City of Hamilton Codified Ordinances).
Inspections
Every year, inspectors from the City's Engineering Department will inspect concrete surfaces (i.e. sidewalks) on streets selected for the annual resurfacing program. They check to see what sidewalk, drive approaches, or curb and gutter should be repaired before the street is repaved. They also inspect individual properties throughout the city if someone reports a bad situation to the Department. Defective concrete in need of repair is marked with white paint.
Purpose
The curb and gutter protect the pavement by providing a solid border to support the edge of the asphalt. The curb and gutter also drain water off the pavement into the storm sewers. If water gets under the pavement, it can make the base soft and cause potholes.
Not only are these repairs important to the appearance and value of your property, but they also protect you from liability from damages due to your defective concrete.
Questions
For questions about what is to be repaired, how your concrete was marked, the cost of work to be done, hiring a licensed contractor, or required permits, please contact the Engineering Department at 345 High Street, 4th floor , Hamilton OH 45011 or telephone 513-785-7280.
Methods of payments or assistance with grant applications, if the city does your work, please contact the Finance Department by calling 513-785-7170.
Letter / Notice to Repair
If you received a letter or certified notice from the City, asking you to repair your concrete, you have several options:
You may fix the sidewalk, drive approach, and/or curb and gutter yourself.
You may hire a private contractor, licensed by the City, to do the work for you.
You may have the City do the work for you, with its contractor, and bill you later.
If you choose either 1 or 2, you or your licensed contractor must get a permit from the City's Public Works Department. A permit is always required whenever work is done in the right-of-way.
We also recommend you get quotes from several licensed contractors and check their references before hiring someone to work for you. Work done privately on streets to be resurfaced, should be completed within 15 days after the date of the Board of Revisions meeting listed in the certified notice.
Permits for Repairing Your Concrete
Permits are available at the City's Engineering Department.
There is a charge for these permits, based on how much concrete is replaced. For sidewalks and driveway approaches, the cost is $0.25 per square foot. For curb and gutter, the cost is $0.50 per linear foot. This means the cost for an average block that is 4 feet wide by 5 feet long is $5. The cost for a section of curb 10 feet long is also $5.
The permit should be taken out before any work begins. The inspector checks the forms when they are in place to make sure the forms are set correctly. The inspector is usually available between 7:30 AM and 3 p.m. Please call the day before to schedule an inspection.
After the forms are approved, the concrete may be poured. When the work is completed, you should pay the contractor directly.
If the City Does the Work For You
After the entire project is complete, the City will calculate the invoice. The invoices are based on actual measurements of what was replaced. The City mails the invoice to the current property owner as listed on the tax rolls. When you receive your invoice, you will have at least 30 days in which to pay it.
If it is not paid in full by the due date, the City will send the invoice to Butler County. The County will add the amount of your invoice to your property taxes as a special assessment for 5 years. If you decide to pay the invoice as a special assessment over 5 years, you will also have to pay an additional interest charge. This charge is based on current market rates.