5 Tips For Handling DOT Sidewalk Violation Notice

Sometimes, the property owners are not aware of the responsibility to maintain their sidewalks in good condition until they get a violation notice from the Department of Transportation. Ignoring a sidewalk violation leads to financial and legal consequences as well as being dangerous for pedestrians.

The DOT gives you 75 days to address the issue with your sidewalk and resolve the violation. If you fail to do so, DOT might engage their contractor to do the work and send you the repair bill that is somehow costly as compared to the private contractors. So handling the violation notice on your own by following the tips mentioned below is an efficient choice.

Read the Notice Carefully

Read out the notice carefully and check if the address mentioned on the notice is either correct or not. Also inspect your sidewalk to ensure the damage is present on it. This is a cross-verification that can save you from costly repairs in case the notice is invalid.

If you observe that the violation notice sent to you is invalid or you disagree with it. You can get help from the DOT to check its validity. Calling 311 or filling out an online form (available on NYC’s official site) is an easy and quick way to address your concern. They can offer advice for challenging the notice and ensure the protection of your rights throughout the process.

Seeking Help from Licensed Contractors

Consider fixing your sidewalk with the help of a licensed and professional contractor. Make sure the contractor must be licensed from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. To find the contractor’s license status, you can call 311 or fill out an online form that is available on the Business Background Check Page by visiting the NYC official site.

Licensed contractors are eligible to get necessary repair permits from DOT and are well versed in the local regulations and safety standards. They can easily handle the entire process, including sidewalk inspection, repair and violation dismissal. They have the expertise and skills to use modern and industry-leading techniques to ensure long-lasting and durable results.

Prioritize Premium Materials

Just like quality workmanship, quality material is also crucial for the durability and longevity of the sidewalks. In order to get long-lasting results, don’t compromise the quality of the material. This is an essential element for getting your violation dismissed and obtaining precise and durable repairs. Make sure your contractors use higher PSI concrete for repairing your sidewalk. Since the concrete with the higher PSI will be long-lasting and durable, having more strength to withstand against elements.

For residential sidewalks, 4000 PSI is enough to withstand the test of time, while commercial sidewalks require more than 4000-4500 PSI to ensure long-term durability.

Low-quality concrete having less than 3000 PSI cannot handle the pressure and leads to premature damages and increases the chance of getting another violation notice.

Do Extra Repairs

Consider repairing more than just what was mentioned in the violation notice. Most of the property owners only do what they are asked by the DOT in the form of violations and end up getting another violation at the time of reinspection. Even if they have not received a violation at that time, they might receive one or two years later for ignoring minor repairs.

Fix everything at once, including minor damages like hairline cracks or surface wear and tear, while fixing the major issue mentioned in the notice. This efficient and cost-effective choice will prevent creating safety hazards for pedestrians and save you money and time in the long run.

Keep Documentation Records

At the end, maintain a copy of all the details relevant to the violation. It includes the notice itself, permits, contractor’s license information, and your data received from the DOT in the form of email or text, receipt, and photographs of the work done. Having these records is crucial for handling inquiries or demonstrating that you have resolved the issue. This proof can prevent you from any of the legal lawsuits or penalties in the future.

Conclusion

Dealing with a DOT violation can be stressful, but understanding the process to handle and taking the right steps at the right time can make it manageable. Remember, seeking expert advice and assistance is an efficient choice to get rid of the violation efficiently. Following the above tips can help address the issues promptly, enhancing pedestrian safety and increasing your property's aesthetics.