Even before liability shifted to abutting owners generally, courts held that whoever derives a special benefit from the sidewalk must maintain the portion serving that benefit. In NYC this covers driveways crossing the sidewalk, cellar doors, vault covers, sign posts, and similar private installations in the public way. The duty follows the benefit, so a tenant operating the cellar door can share liability with the owner. If your property has any private structure in the sidewalk, its condition deserves the same attention as the flags themselves, since defects there carry a distinct legal exposure.
← Back to Full Glossary