Similarly, it is asked, are sidewalks public or private property?
By these definitions, sidewalks are public property, just like streets are public property. The law, as found through the state's website, states that “the works board may require the owners of abutting property to construct or repair the owners' own sidewalks or curbs if the works board.”
Secondly, who owns the property between the sidewalk and the street? yes, the town owns it, it is within the 25 foot right of way from the centerline. Typically most roads have a 50 foot right of way. A right of way does not constitute ownership. Even when there is no sidewalk, the town has a right of way of the first several feet into the property.
One may also ask, do you own the sidewalk in front of your house?
Yes, it's true that sidewalks are actually “owned” by the city or town and not the homeowner. The municipality has a responsibility to keep sidewalks sufficiently safe under the Municipal Act (that's also the subject of another blog to come).
Do businesses own the sidewalk?
Thomas Johnson, 23 years as a business owner and IT professional. Technically it belongs to the store owner. However, there is something known as a right of way. So while the store owner is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of these sidewalks, other companies do have the right to use them.
