technically it is. If it was cracked who would have to fix it? you or the city? if someone fell on your front sidewalk – who would they sue – you or the city? YOU – it is your responsibility – there is nothing wrong with kids coloring with chalk with comes off with rain!! “
FTR, it depends on WHY it cracked. If it is just cracked, stam, yes you the homeowner could be responsible for the repair. BUT – if the crack was caused by a City tree whoe roots were forcing the sidewalk upward, the City of NY is totally responsible. We just (after a four year battle with bureacracy), got our sidewalk AND our driveway repaired (yes, they had to repair our driveway because THEIR tree roots grew under it and broke it badly all over, so we could not even get into our driveway for years). it was battle to get them to act, but in the end it was their tree, their fault, and I told them I was advising people to sue them if they fell. I painted the areas that were broken with yellow bus paint, just to make it obvious there was sakana there, but it was nevertheless not my responsibility from a legal point. The City finally acknowledge their achrayus. And now I can park safely and walk safely, and push the baby carriage easily. A mechayeh.