Sidewalk Repair Program

Sidewalk Repair Program

The City of Novi maintains a 311-mile non-motorized network, ensuring resident mobility. To maintain these facilities, the annual Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program (NSRP) was launched. Novi uses a mobile Sidewalk Surface Tester (SST) to assess sidewalk conditions, collecting data to identify areas needing repair for safety and accessibility.

Reported sidewalk issues are addressed by the City according to state law (MCL – Section 691.1402a). This law mandates that sidewalk panels must not: (1) be displaced by 2 inches or more, or (2) present any other dangerous condition beyond mere displacement.

Please note:

• Tree Roots: Tree roots often cause sidewalk damage. While efforts are made to save trees, if the City forester determines sidewalk repair will impact 30% or more of a tree's root system, the tree will be removed and replaced by the City with a suitable species.
• Reimbursement: The City will not reimburse sidewalk repair/replacement performed privately by homeowners or Homeowners Associations (HOAs). The City will also not repair panels solely for ponding water unless the aforementioned state law conditions exist.
• PLEASE refrain from using salt or chemical deicers on your sidewalk for at least a year after the placement of new concrete.

Grass and Sprinkler Restoration

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to restore any grass that has been disturbed. The Contractor will not receive final payment until the consultant engineer and City are satisfied with the new growth, and all areas have been restored to the specifications of the contract, which requires 90% coverage and no bare spots exceeding 5 inches x 5 inches. While preliminary growth of the grass is the responsibility of the Contractor, we encourage all residents to assist in the growth of the grass: water the seed as you would the rest of your lawn, avoid disturbing the newly seeded areas, and remove any weeds you may see. General best practice for new grass is to wait approximately 8 weeks before mowing, or once the grass is at least 3-4 inches tall. When you mow, do not remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade’s height in a single mowing.

It is also the Contractor’s responsibility to repair/replace any sprinkler heads and/or lines that may have been damaged directly by their sidewalk work. The City will not reimburse private sprinkler repairs by homeowners or HOAs.

If you notice damage to your sprinkler system, please notify the project engineer immediately and provide contact information so you can be alerted when your system has been fixed, and therefore test to confirm there is no additional damage.

If work is completed after your sprinklers have been winterized, you have 4 weeks from the time any sidewalk is replaced on your property to notify the engineer that you have sprinkler damage. If your system is winterized prior to the replacement of the sidewalk, you must notify the engineer of damage by May 31st the following year. We cannot guarantee repair of systems after these time periods.

Contact Information

City of Novi Department of Public Works (248) 735-5640

City of Novi Community Relations: (248) 735-5628. communityrelations@cityofnovi.org