Do-By-Owner (DBO) repair A sidewalk repair a property owner completes themselves (or through their own contractor) under a self-obtained permit, rather than having DOT perform and bill for the work.
Private homeowners can apply for a Sidewalk Construction Permit by mail if they're doing the physical work themselves, which can save money versus a full-service contractor for straightforward jobs. If a contractor is hired instead, that contractor — not the homeowner — must be the one registered with DOT and pulling the permit. Choosing the DBO route within the 75-day window is generally the cheaper and faster path compared to letting the city step in, since city-administered repairs get billed at a markup and attach to the property as debt if unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Do-By-Owner (DBO) repair
What is a Do-By-Owner sidewalk repair?
A repair the property owner completes themselves under a self-obtained permit, rather than having DOT perform the work and bill for it.
Can a homeowner pull the sidewalk permit?
A private homeowner doing the physical work themselves can apply for a Sidewalk Construction Permit. If a contractor is hired, that contractor must be registered with DOT and pull the permit.
Why choose the DBO route?
Handling the repair within the 75-day window is generally faster and cheaper than letting the City step in, since City-administered work is billed at a markup and attaches to the property as debt if unpaid.
Does DBO work still need an inspection?
Yes. The same dismissal inspection process applies, and the work must meet DOT construction standards.