NEWBERG, Ore. — Walking and rolling in Newberg can go from a smooth sidewalk to no sidewalk at a moment’s notice, leading some residents to wonder: Who is responsible for sidewalks in Newberg?

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According to the city code, responsibility for maintaining and repairing sidewalks in Newberg largely falls to adjacent property owners.

Read: Experiencing Newberg by Wheelchair Puts Civic Access in Focus

Under Newberg Municipal Code 12.05.040, private property owners are responsible for maintaining and paving sidewalks that adjoin their property. That responsibility also includes upkeep of the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street, as well as street trees whose roots may be damaging the sidewalk.

If a sidewalk borders city-owned or state-owned property, maintenance responsibility shifts to that public entity. The City of Newberg funds street and sidewalk repairs through its Transportation Utility Fee, which allows the city to strategically repair sections of streets and sidewalks during summer construction seasons.

The City of Newberg adopted a Transportation Utility Fee in 2017, collected from property owners and businesses based on determined usage rates. City manager Will Worthey said that drive-thru restaurants are generally at the top of the rate range, while homeowners are on the lower end. The rates are seen on the residents’ monthly water bills. 

City officials said sidewalk issues can be complex, particularly when damage is caused by tree roots or when ownership of the adjacent property is unclear. 

To help identify problem areas, the city encourages residents to report sidewalk concerns to the Newberg Police Department’s Code Compliance division. Issues such as broken or uneven sidewalks, overgrown vegetation, flooding, or vehicles blocking sidewalks can also be reported using the free SeeClickFix mobile app, which allows users to submit photos and locations and receive status updates.

Property owners who wish to repair their sidewalks are required to obtain a permit through the city’s Engineering Department to ensure the work meets accessibility and safety standards.

City officials said maintaining safe sidewalks benefits the entire community and emphasized the importance of residents reporting to help staff prioritize repairs and enforcement.