Ask The City: Curb and Gutter Repair

The Question:

As a homeowner, I am wondering if curb and gutter repair are up to the city or the homeowner? If it is the homeowner's responsibility, does the city provide any sort of assistance?

The Answer:

Curb, gutter and sidewalk repair in the City of Laramie are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner.

This policy is called out in both the Wyoming State Statutes (15-4-306), and City of Laramie Municipal Code (12.32.010). The two citations have slightly different in wording, but are very similar in intent. Wyoming State Statutes 15-4-306, Construction or reconstruction of sidewalks and curbs; landowner’s duties; notice; assessment; establishing grade and parking width.

(a) All owners of land adjoining any street, lane or alley shall construct or reconstruct a sidewalk and curb along the street, lane or alley next to the land when ordered to do so by the manager…

Laramie Municipal Code, 12.32.010, City Manager’s order-adjoining landowner’s responsibility. All owners of land adjoining any street, road, alley or other public way in the City shall construct, reconstruct or repair sidewalks and curbs along such street, road, alley or other public way adjoining to such land when ordered to do so by the City Manager.

In 2007, the Laramie City Council authorized Staff to create the “Shared Concrete Replacement Program Policy”. The purpose of the program was to assist in the cost of concrete replacement, and thus improve the appearance and safety of the community. The program has a specific list of criteria, but in a nut shell the policy provides for a 50:50 split of the cost of replacement of concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk in the public rights of ways for owner occupied residences, with a maximum City contribution of $3,500.00.

The Shared Concrete Replacement Program, has helped a number of residences in the past, but has generally been applied on a first come - first serve basis. Those residents on the list that have been there the longest are looked at first, then to create a more economical project, the neighbors (within a block or so) are evaluated and offered inclusion in the program. The current list of applicants for the program has nearly 100 names. For a full list of the shared concrete replacement policy, and perhaps to get on the replacement list, please contact the City Engineering Office, (307) 721-3250.”