Opinion No.

The Honorable Randy Thurman State Representative P.O. Box 584 Heber Springs, AR 72543-0584

Dear Representative Thurman:

This is in response to your request for an opinion on the following questions:

1. Is it legal for a municipality to purchase protective awnings that will cover publicly maintained sidewalks, but which are attached to privately owned structures, if the structure owners are responsible for the installation of those awnings?

2. If not, under what conditions may a municipality purchase and install new awnings, or repair old privately owned awnings that may present a hazard to the…