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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Court issues civics lesson to school district ... State, miners headed for showdown over dredging ... Jacksonville to add downtown parking spots ... Our View: Court issues civics lesson to school district ... State, miners headed for showdown over dredging ... Jacksonville to add downtown parking spots ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: That sidewalk is your responsibility Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News ​I know this question has been asked before (many times?) but we are new to Medford and cannot get a straight answer from anyone. Are city sidewalks the responsibility of homeowners or the city for upkeep, repair and legal liability? Some say repair but not liability, and another told us the city covers everything if we lived in certain parts of town. — Bruce H., Medford Yes, Bruce, it has been asked before, but since all of us have some connection to sidewalks, be it as property owner or pedestrian, we're happy to answer again. The short answer is that sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owners. In fact, they have been the property owners' responsibility since long before any current city officials were around — back into the 1800s, according to Medford Public Works Director Cory Crebbin. Crebbin says he has seen a document from the late 1880s in which the city council "directed the town marshal to go have property owner pound down the nails sticking up from the boardwalks." (And you thought tree roots were a hazard!) Building sidewalks is also the property owners' responsibility. There are some exceptions to that in Medford, including a series of sidewalks built in the vicinity of elementary schools, a project made possible by a voter-approved levy. That effort, which started in 2005, will draw to a close in the not-too-distant future when sidewalks are built on Springbrook Road on the east side of Kennedy Elementary School. And, yes, Bruce, property owners are also legally liable for any incidents related to the sidewalks on their property. Check it out at Municipal Code 3.010, titled, appropriately enough, "Owners to Maintain Sidewalks." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.  MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501