Acquisition and Maintenance of City Streets

See accompanying model documents below.

This content conveys general information. Do not use it as a substitute for legal advice. Any attorney general opinions cited are available from the League’s Research staff.

Outlines how cities establish and finance new city streets and maintain existing street infrastructure. Includes design and construction standards and procedures to open streets or roads. Defines of the parts of a street and different types of streets such as cartways and alleys. Discusses best practices for snow plowing, street-sweeping, pothole repair, sidewalk inspections and how to regulate others who want to work in your rights-of-way

Use these model documents with the discussion on “Acquisition and Maintenance of City Streets”:

• Electric Utility Franchise, LMC model ordinance (doc)
• Gas Utility Franchise, LMC model ordinance (doc)
• Pothole Repair, LMC model policy (doc)
• Right of Way Regulation, LMC model ordinance (doc)
• Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance, LMC model policy (doc)
• Snowplowing, LMC model policy (doc)
• Street Sweeping, LMC model policy (doc)