Sidewalk Repair & DOT Violation Removal in NYC
Received a sidewalk violation? You have 75 days before the city repairs it and bills you. We clear it — permits, pour and inspection included.
Free violation check: (718) 772-8498 — send us your violation number or address and we'll tell you exactly what's on file and what it takes to clear it.
Why You Got a Sidewalk Violation
DOT inspectors cite sidewalks for specific defects. The most common ones we repair:
- Trip hazards — flags uneven by 1/2 inch or more (the #1 violation in NYC)
- Tree root upheaval — roots lifting and cracking flags (very common in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens)
- Cracked or broken flags — structural cracks, holes, or crumbling concrete
- Improper slope — water pooling toward the building or street
- Hardware defects — non-flush cellar doors, grates, or metal covers
- Patchwork — previous asphalt or mismatched-material repairs
Under NYC Administrative Code §19-152, the property owner — not the city — is responsible for the sidewalk fronting the property. The violation stays on your property record until a licensed contractor repairs it and the work passes inspection.
What Happens If You Ignore It
- The violation stays on your property title — it surfaces in any sale or refinance and must be cleared before closing.
- After 75 days, DOT can perform the repair with its own contractor and bill you — with administrative fees on top.
- If someone trips and is injured, an open violation is powerful evidence of negligence in a lawsuit.
The math is simple: repairing it privately, on your schedule, is always the cheaper path.
How We Remove Your Violation — Step by Step
We handle everything with the city. You make one call; we do the rest.
- 1. Free assessment — we inspect, measure the cited flags, and confirm the full scope (fixing only some defects will fail inspection).
- 2. DOT permits — we file and pay for the sidewalk construction permit under our license.
- 3. Protection & prep — barricades, saw-cutting, removal of defective flags. Tree roots handled to NYC Parks rules so the problem doesn't return.
- 4. Forming & pouring — new flags to DOT spec: correct thickness (4" standard, 7" at driveways), proper slope, expansion joints, matching finish.
- 5. City inspection & dismissal — we request the DOT re-inspection and see it through until the violation is dismissed. You get the documentation.
Most residential jobs are demolished, poured and walkable within 2–3 days, weather permitting.
How Pricing Works
Every sidewalk is different — so we don't guess over the phone. We visit your property free of charge, measure the cited flags, and hand you a fixed written quote on the spot. No obligation, no surprises after the pour.
Your price is determined by:
- Square footage — how many flags the violation cites (and their size)
- Curb work — whether curb repair or replacement is cited
- Tree roots — root-heaved flags need careful rebuilding to Parks rules
- Access & thickness — driveways require 7" pours vs the standard 4"
DOT permit filing is always included — never a separate charge. We respond within 24 hours and can usually assess the same week.
Beyond Violations: Full Concrete & Sidewalk Services
- New sidewalk installation for new construction and full replacements
- Driveway repair and resurfacing — aprons, slabs and approaches
- Curbs and gutters — concrete and steel-faced
- Steps and landings — poured concrete and granite stone
- Concrete restoration paired with masonry and waterproofing
Every Borough, One Local Team
From our Yonkers headquarters we run sidewalk crews across the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Yonkers and Westchester. Tree-lined blocks in the Bronx and Brooklyn are our most common violation calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to fix a NYC sidewalk violation?
75 days from the date of the notice. After that, the DOT may schedule its own contractor and bill you for the work plus fees. Private repair is almost always cheaper — and you control the timing.
How much does sidewalk repair cost in NYC?
It depends on how many flags were cited, whether curb work is included, and whether tree roots are involved — which is why we quote only after seeing the sidewalk. The site visit and written quote are free, and we respond within 24 hours.
Do I need a permit to repair my own sidewalk?
Yes — a DOT sidewalk construction permit is required, and the work must meet DOT specifications to pass inspection. We file and pay for the permit as part of every job.
The damage was caused by a city tree. Do I still have to pay?
Often not. One- to three-family homes may qualify for the free NYC Parks Trees & Sidewalks Program, but the waitlist runs years and the violation stays active meanwhile. We can assess whether you qualify and what the fastest path is.
Can you repair just the flags that were cited?
Yes — repairing exactly the cited flags (to spec) clears the violation. During assessment we'll flag any adjacent damage likely to be cited next, so you can decide once.
How do I check if my property has a sidewalk violation?
Give us the address — we'll look it up for free. Violations also appear on your property's records and in any title search.
Will the new concrete match my existing sidewalk?
We match the finish, joint pattern and color of the adjoining flags as closely as concrete allows. Fresh concrete lightens as it cures over several weeks.
How soon can you start?
We respond to every inquiry within 24 hours and schedule your free assessment right away. Emergency trip-hazard grinding can often be done while the full repair is scheduled.