Front yard sidewalks are required to be installed before buildings are occupied. While this is not a new requirement, there are a number of neighborhoods where homes have been occupied for extended periods of time and sidewalks have still not been installed. Initial and subsequent homeowners are not always aware of this requirement and are frustrated by the expense and coordination required to install the sidewalks after their homes are constructed. Surrounding residents are eager for walkable neighborhoods.
It is the City’s preference that sidewalks be installed before occupancy whenever weather allows. There is also provision within City Code that allows the Certification of Occupancy before the sidewalk is installed if:
- Owner/builder provides a signed contract for the sidewalk installation (to be completed within 60 days of certificate of occupancy or 60 days from when weather permits sidewalk construction), or
- A petition is in place for assessment of the sidewalk cost under City contract
As you build homes in Moorhead, and as the City works to consistently address this requirement in new housing neighborhoods, we ask your partnership. The City will uniformly enforce the sidewalk installation policy. Enforcement remedies allow the City to install the sidewalk and assess, or to withhold future permits until sidewalks are constructed, but we’d much rather work together with you to address this construction requirement.
- Clearly identify the responsibility for sidewalk installation and payment in your bid documents.
- Install sidewalks before the home is occupied; or
- Submit signed contract for sidewalk installation to the Engineering Department prior to requesting the Certification of Occupancy.
With your next new home permit, you will receive a sidewalk installation acknowledgement as a reminder of the requirements discussed above. We will work to further refine sidewalk permit procedures in the coming months and plan to share an update before the 2016 construction season begins.
Thanks for your cooperation. Questions? Please call the City of Moorhead Engineering Department at 218.299.5390.
