Target of Petition: City of Everett Public Works Department and Everett City Council

Purpose of Petition: We are asking the City of Everett to inspect the severely damaged sidewalks along Evergreen Way between 40th and 100th Street. These sidewalks need to meet basic safety and ADA accessibility standards for all users.

The sidewalks on this stretch of Evergreen Way are dangerously cracked, lifted, and uneven—especially due to tree root damage and years of neglect. They are nearly impossible to navigate for wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and skaters or bikers trying to avoid traffic.

Some individuals report pain from simply traveling this path in a motorized chair. Others are forced into the street due to unsafe terrain, putting them directly in traffic. I personally skate this route daily and feel safer on the road than the sidewalk—and I work with clients who avoid their appointments due to the physical toll the trip takes on them.

This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about safety, access, and dignity.

We urge the City of Everett to: 

Conduct a full safety and ADA compliance inspection of the area.

In Everett, Washington, property owners—including businesses—are legally responsible for maintaining and repairing the sidewalks adjacent to their properties, not just their driveways. This responsibility is outlined in both the Everett Municipal Code and Washington State law. 

📜 Legal Responsibilities

Everett Municipal Code (EMC) 13.08.010: This code states that property owners must maintain the sidewalks abutting their properties.  

Washington State Law (RCW 35.69): This law reinforces that the duty of sidewalk maintenance falls on the adjacent property owner.  

This means that if a sidewalk in front of a business is cracked, lifted, or otherwise hazardous, the business owner is responsible for its repair. 

📐 Scope of Responsibility

The term "sidewalk" encompasses the entire pedestrian walkway adjacent to the property, not just the driveway or entrance. This includes any portion of the sidewalk that runs along the property's boundary. 

⚠️ Liability Considerations

While property owners are responsible for maintenance, liability for injuries due to sidewalk defects can be complex. In some cases, both the property owner and the city can be held liable, depending on the circumstances.  

🤝 Community Programs

Everett has previously offered a sidewalk replacement program where the city would provide labor and equipment if the property owner covered material costs. However, this program is currently suspended. Property owners are encouraged to undertake repairs independently or hire licensed contractors.  

✅ Action Steps for Business Owners

1. Assess Sidewalk Condition: Regularly inspect the sidewalk adjacent to your property for any hazards. 

2. Plan for Repairs: If issues are found, plan for timely repairs to prevent accidents and potential liability. 

3. Hire Licensed Contractors: Ensure that any repair work is done by licensed and bonded contractors, as required by EMC 13.80. 

4. Stay Informed: Keep abreast of any city programs or changes in regulations that may assist in sidewalk maintenance. 

By proactively maintaining sidewalks, business owners contribute to community safety and demonstrate civic responsibility.

Why This Petition Matters

It’s true—business owners are technically responsible for the sidewalks next to their properties. But this issue affects far more than just the storefronts along Evergreen Way.

This petition is about pushing the City of Everett to step in, support, and enforce existing sidewalk maintenance codes—especially on a stretch of road that so many vulnerable residents rely on. If the city won’t fix it directly, they can still:

Pressure non-compliant property owners to make overdue repairs

Reinstate or expand assistance programs that help cover repair costs

Coordinate neighborhood-wide upgrades instead of leaving it piecemeal

This petition brings public pressure and visibility to a dangerous problem—one that affects skaters, kids, people in wheelchairs, parents with strollers, and anyone simply trying to walk safely in their own city.

This isn’t just about holding businesses accountable.

It’s about making the city prioritize safety and accessibility where people need it most.

Let’s make our city safer and more accessible—please sign and share this petition today.