Title
Briefing on Sidewalk Repair Policy Approach
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on sidewalk repair policy approach.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on sidewalk repair policy approach.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Swanson, AICP, Principal Planner, Public Works Transportation, 360.753.8575
Presenter(s):
Michelle Swanson, AICP, Principal Planner, Public Works Transportation
Background and Analysis:
The issue
Current City code holds property owners responsible for repairing the sidewalks adjacent to their property, but the City has enforced that code minimally and unevenly.
Over time, the City has developed an interim approach of addressing sidewalk repair by prioritizing streets where the City maintains street trees as resources allow. Those streets are shown on the attached map.
Toward a long-term policy
In recent years, the City has been working toward creating a long-term policy for sidewalk repair. As part of that process, staff created a story map and survey to ask people what they thought about some key points. A story map is a website that has maps, photos, and a narrative to explain complex topics. A link to the story map is attached, and it includes the high-level results of the survey that was embedded in it from March 2 to 20, 2026.
Recent City actions
In 2024, the City created a program in the Capital Facilities Plan that has been funded at $500,000 annually by the Transportation Benefit District Sales Tax revenues.
Additionally, the City did a full inventory of the condition of its sidewalks in 2024, which was a crucial step to understanding the scale of how much repair is needed. The inventory found nearly 28,000 unique defects that need repair. Staff briefed this Committee on the results of the inventory last year, and the report is also linked from the story map.
Finally, in the 2026 budget, the City Council funded a new sidewalk repair crew in Public Works Transportation. These four new positions will work on sidewalk repair, beginning in 2026. The crew is funded with Transportation Benefit District Sales Tax revenue.
Policy questions
The key policy questions that remain to be resolved are:
• Where should the City focus its resources?
• Given how much repair is needed, is there a role for property owners?
Possible policy approaches
Possible policies for sidewalk repair exist along a spectrum that includes a range of options like:
• All property owners are responsible for sidewalks adjacent to their property through an enforcement process
• The City is responsible for repairing all sidewalks
• A hybrid approach in which property owners and the City share responsibility for repairs
Staff will present more details around these policy options and a recommended approach.
Advisory Committees
City staff briefed the Planning Commission on May 4, 2026 with the results of the survey and the work the City has done so far on developing a long-term policy approach. City staff gave the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee the same briefing on May 20, 2026.
Next steps
A City Council study session on this topic is scheduled for July 21, 2026. At that meeting, staff will be prepared to share any recommendation resulting from the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting.
Climate Analysis:
The City has a target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The transportation sector is the second-greatest source of emissions in our region. To achieve the emissions reduction goal, the City needs to reduce vehicle miles traveled to 25% lower than 2021 levels by 2040. Making it easier for people to walk is a key part of this strategy.
Equity Analysis:
For people who rely on walking aids, like scooters, wheelchairs, or walkers, sidewalks in poor repair can be a barrier.
Any long-term approach in which responsibility is shared between property owners and the City means that some property owners benefit from the public fixing their sidewalks while others do not.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
City staff often hear concerns about Olympia’s sidewalk conditions. During the recent outreach in the story map, a majority of people said they believed the City should be responsible for sidewalk repair.
Some additional comments we heard included:
• Concerns about the process of hiring a contractor and the cost for a property owner to repair a sidewalk
• Support for requiring large property owners to fix sidewalks adjacent to their property
• Support for requiring property owners to fix sidewalks when property is sold
Survey results are attached.
Financial Impact:
All funding for sidewalk repair comes from the Transportation Benefit District sales tax. Attached are two tables that show the Transportation Benefit District revenue and expenditure, both to date and projected into the future.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing on a sidewalk repair policy approach.
2. Do not receive a briefing on a sidewalk repair policy approach.
3. Receive the briefing at a later date.
Attachments:
Link to Story Map
Summary of Survey Results
Staff Response to Survey Results
Survey Demographics
Link to Engage Olympia Sidewalk Repair Page
Map of Street Tree Maintenance Area
TBD Sales Tax Revenue and Expenditure