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Sidewalk repair cost in Seattle (2026):
who pays, the City permit and what it costs

By Oleksii Chelbaiev Last checked November 1, 2026 4 sources

HOW MUCH DOES SIDEWALK REPAIR COST IN SEATTLE?

$1,086–$3,206

Angi puts sidewalk repair in Seattle at $1,086 to $3,206, with an average of $2,083, or $5 to $12 per square foot. In Seattle, the owner of the property next to the sidewalk is responsible for keeping it safe (Seattle Municipal Code 15.72), and repairs need a Street Use sidewalk repair permit from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Published estimates, not quotes. SDOT's permit fee is set in its fee schedule.

Illustration of a house with a street tree whose roots lift a sidewalk panel, and a new concrete panel with cones and a permit sign, labeled panel size, lifted by roots, street tree, patch lift or replace, street use permit and owner's responsibility. — Illustration. What changes the price of a sidewalk repair in Seattle.

Who pays for the sidewalk in Seattle?

The adjacent property owner. SDOT says that under Seattle Municipal Code 15.72, property owners keep the sidewalk next to their property fit and safe for public travel.
More than the sidewalk. Owners also maintain the planting strip, the road shoulder if it isn't paved, and unpaved alleys next to their property.
The City can step in. If SDOT decides a repair is needed, it issues a Street Use Warning to the owner.

Sidewalk repair cost

Angi, sidewalk repair cost in Seattle, WA (February 25, 2026).
Seattle (Angi)	Reported cost
Typical range	$1,086–$3,206
Average	$2,083
Low end / high end	$600 / $4,000
Per square foot	$5–$12
Labor	$75–$120 per hour
Multi-slab replacement	$3,000 or more

HomeAdvisor, sidewalk and patio repair cost guide (2025). National figures. HomeAdvisor notes many crews charge a minimum of about $400 per square (100 sq ft) of concrete.
Item	Reported cost
Sidewalk repair, per square foot	$5–$15
Typical repair job	$726–$2,485 (avg. $1,599)
Mudjacking (lifting a sunken slab)	$5–$25 per sq ft
One 5×5 ft slab replaced	$130–$380
Small slab replacements	$1,000–$3,000+
Hauling old concrete	$2–$6 per sq ft

Example: replacing sidewalk panels

Our calculation from HomeAdvisor's national per-square-foot range; Angi's Seattle range is $5 to $12. A minimum charge, hauling, the SDOT permit and any work on tree roots come on top, so small jobs often cost more per square foot.
Area replaced	At $5–$15 per sq ft
One 5×5 ft panel (25 sq ft)	$125–$375
Four 5×5 ft panels (100 sq ft)	$500–$1,500

The SDOT sidewalk repair permit

Permit: a Street Use sidewalk repair permit (SDOT permit type 55). You can apply online or at the Street Use Permit Counter.
Fee: SDOT's memo points to its current fee schedule rather than listing an amount. Inspection fees are taken from the required deposit.
Who does the work: SDOT advises hiring a contractor licensed to work in Seattle and bonded, and the work must meet City standards.

If a street tree lifted the sidewalk

Street trees the City planted are maintained by SDOT or Parks Urban Forestry crews.
Street trees planted by residents are the adjacent owner's responsibility to maintain.
If a privately maintained street tree damaged the sidewalk, the owner or contractor needs a repair permit and must meet an SDOT arborist to decide on root pruning or another fix.
After the old concrete comes out, an SDOT arborist and a right-of-way inspector check the site before new concrete goes in.

Removing a tree on your own lot has separate rules: see tree removal cost in Seattle.

Before you sign

Ask who applies for the SDOT permit and whether the fee and deposit are in the quote.
Ask whether the price covers removing and hauling the old concrete.
If tree roots are involved, ask how the contractor will handle the SDOT arborist visit.
Get the price in writing, and look the contractor up on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool.

Frequently asked questions

How much does sidewalk repair cost in Seattle?

Angi puts sidewalk repair in Seattle at $1,086 to $3,206, with an average of $2,083, or $5 to $12 per square foot. Multi-slab replacements can reach $3,000 or more. The SDOT permit is extra.

Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house in Seattle?

You are, if you own the property. SDOT says Seattle Municipal Code 15.72 makes property owners keep the adjacent sidewalk fit and safe for public travel.

Do I need a permit to fix my sidewalk in Seattle?

Yes. SDOT requires a Street Use sidewalk repair permit (type 55), which you can apply for online or at the Street Use Permit Counter.

Who pays if a street tree's roots broke the sidewalk?

It depends on who planted the tree. SDOT says City-planted street trees are maintained by City crews, while trees planted by residents are the adjacent owner's responsibility. Repairs near a privately maintained tree need a permit and a visit from an SDOT arborist.

How much does it cost to replace one sidewalk panel?

HomeAdvisor lists $130 to $380 to replace a 5×5 ft slab. Small jobs often hit a contractor's minimum charge, which HomeAdvisor puts at about $400 per square of concrete.

Other outdoor work: asphalt driveway cost and more exterior and yard cost guides.

Sources

All sources accessed November 1, 2026.

This guide summarizes published cost estimates and City of Seattle rules. It is not legal advice. Confirm permit requirements and fees with SDOT before work starts, and get written quotes from licensed, bonded contractors. See our disclosure and disclaimer.