Payment plans can be spread over as much as 10 to 20 years, depending on the circumstances. Churches and schools are exempt from the costs with this system. There is also a new program called the Sidewalk Installation Program where some higher-pedestrian areas of the city may be eligible for construction of a sidewalk or asphalt path at no cost to the property owners. Some of these areas are older, built when sidewalks weren't as standard a practice as it is today. Many sidewalk gaps exist within sections of the city that were originally townships, later annexed into the City of Columbus, and because the original property owners opted not to include them.
Concrete sidewalks are the standard and are generally installed where curbs exist.
When there is no curb, roadway drainage ditches frequently conflict with sidewalks. Under certain conditions, asphalt paths may be used. These are usually considered temporary walkpaths, until the street is reconstructed, to include curbs. The property owner is responsible for any needed repairs and other maintenance, such as snow and ice removal and repair of holes, to their sidewalk. This is regardless of who built them, the property owner or the city.