Each year a section of the City is targeted for the program with the goal of covering the City within a 20 to 25 year period.

Kettering has adopted the practice, which is common in most communities across the country, of making property owners responsible for the sidewalk and curbs abutting their properties. In Ohio, state law provides for this practice on the premise that property owners get the most benefit from the walk because it is available for their use and it enhances a property's value. So when it comes to making repairs, property owners are responsible.

The City Engineering Department inspectors review the sidewalk and curb and mark the sections that must be replaced or repaired. The criteria for replacement or repair was established by City Council and has been used for several years. After the marking is completed, an explanation of the markings, a copy of the required work, an estimated cost, and the options for doing the work are sent to the affected residents.

There are two options for repairing the sidewalks and curbs.

First, the citizen could hire a contractor, who must obtain a permit ($20) within thirty (30) days of official notification, to do sidewalk, drive approach, and/or curbs. The contractor has thirty (30) days from the time the permit is issued to complete the work. The contractor must post a $5,000.00 performance bond which will remain on file with the City for a period of 12 months. The contractor must also provide proof of insurance, listing the City of Kettering as an additional insured. This work must also have a final inspection.

The second option for replacement or repair is to have the contractor that the City hires do the work. The City pays the contractor for the actual cost of the work. The citizen may either pay cash to the City for the work plus permit fee ($20) or have the actual cost and permit fee plus interest and a collection fee assessed to their property taxes.

Sidewalk and curb repair is a vital part of neighborhood pride and the residents should remember that the program not only ties into neighborhood pride, but community pride as well. If everyone does their part, improvements will be a lot easier. Any property owner that has questions about the program should contact the Engineering Department at (937) 296-2436, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The marking and issuing of replacement orders on curb, sidewalks, and drive approaches is a controversial subject. The purpose of these standards is to make determinations as precise as possible while holding arbitrary judgments to a minimum. However, it must be realized that some decisions will require an arbitrary, impersonal approach.

When there is a disagreement between the Inspector and the property owner regarding replacement orders, the City Engineer will re-examine the curb, sidewalk, or drive approach in question and make the final determination.

Deficiencies Requiring Sidewalk or Drive Approach Replacement:

1. Section or sections sagged or raised more than one inch (1") from original configuration, if, at the discretion of the inspector, there is a drainage or safety problem.

2. Misalignment at joints or part of sections.
(a) Sidewalk - three-eights inch (3/8").
(b) Drive approach - at sidewalk edge, one-half inch (2"); at edge next to curb - one inch (1").

3. Badly spalled, when aggregate can be scratched from the surface indicating constant deterioration.

4. Missing sections or horizontal gaps in excess of one inch (1") between sections.

5. Sidewalks that are not in drive approaches may be allowed to be patched. Cracked or loose corners when damaged area is larger than two square inches (2 sq. in.) but smaller than thirty-six square inches (36 sq. in.) may be patched by the owner or his contractor. Cracked corners less than two square inches (2 sq. in.) will not require correction.

Deficiencies Requiring Curb Replacement:

1. Missing or damaged sections.

2. Curb that is sagged or raised more than one inch (1") out of original configuration, if, at the discretion of the inspector, there is a drainage or safety problem.

3. Misalignment at joints or in section of three-fourths inch (3/4") or more.

(a) Loose longitudinal cracks twelve inches (12") in length (when balance of curb is solid). The inspector may in these cases approve cap patches when properly made and installed by the owners contractor, but will not be permitted for the City Contractor.

4. Curbs can not be patched.

5. In the absence of tree lawn where curb and sidewalk abut each other, three-eights inch (3/8") shall be the guide for misalignment.

6. At catch basins for storm water, the City shall be responsible for curb or sidewalk adjacent to and within three feet (3') of either side of the outside edge of basin. Sidewalk separated from basin by tree lawn shall be the property owners responsibility.

NOTE: Coachwalks can either be removed or repaired and/or replaced.

The contractor you hire must post a $5,000 performance bond which will remain on file with the City for a period of 12 months if they are doing any CURB WORK.

Call the Engineering Department at (937) 296-2436 to check on the bonding status of the contractor that you may hire to do your work.