Understanding the Oakland Sidewalk Ordinance
Who Is Responsible for Sidewalk Maintenance?
Sidewalks are a crucial part of Oakland’s infrastructure, providing safe and accessible pedestrian pathways throughout the city. While sidewalks are technically public property, the responsibility for their maintenance often falls on homeowners. If you own a home in Oakland, it’s essential to understand your obligations—especially if you’re considering selling your property.
The Oakland Sidewalk Ordinance: What Homeowners Need to Know
Oakland has approximately 1,100 miles of sidewalks, and until recently, homeowners were responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their properties, except in cases where damage was caused by city-owned street trees. However, on July 9, 2019, the city implemented a Point-of-Sale Sidewalk Ordinance that requires homeowners to repair any known, unsafe sidewalk conditions before selling their home.
This means that if you’re putting your house on the market, you need to ensure that the sidewalk in front of your property is in good condition. If the city determines that repairs are needed, those must be completed before the sale can go through.
How Does This Affect Home Sellers?
If you’re selling your home in Oakland, here’s what you need to know about compliance with the sidewalk ordinance:
Pre-Sale Inspection: You may need a sidewalk inspection to identify any hazards or necessary repairs.
Repair Requirements: If the sidewalk in front of your property is deemed unsafe, you must complete repairs before closing the sale.
Exceptions: If damage is caused by an official city-owned tree, you may not be responsible for the repairs. Contact the Oakland Department of Transportation at (510) 238-3199 for further guidance.
Sidewalk Responsibilities in Nearby Cities
If you own property in other parts of the East Bay, the rules vary by city:
Berkeley:
The city shares repair costs with property owners through a 50/50 cost-sharing program.
Homeowners can sign up to have their sidewalks included in scheduled repairs.
Contact Berkeley Customer Service at (510) 981-2489 for details.
Richmond:
Property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks, including the parking strip and curb.
Contact the Department of Public Services at (510) 307-8091 for information.
El Cerrito:
Homeowners must keep sidewalks in good repair and free of obstructions.
The city will repair sidewalks damaged by city street trees but requires property owners to fix other types of damage.
To report hazardous sidewalks, call (510) 215-4369.
Thinking About Sidewalk Repairs? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you need to repair your sidewalk—whether you’re preparing to sell your home or simply keeping your property in good shape—there are a few key steps to keep in mind:
Permits: Most sidewalk repairs require a permit from the city.
Hiring a Contractor: You may need to work with a licensed contractor to complete repairs.
Negotiation Strategies: If you’re selling your home, the cost of sidewalk repairs could potentially be negotiated as part of the sale.
As always, navigating real estate transactions requires expertise. Having a skilled negotiator—your Realtor—can make all the difference. If you have questions about the Oakland Sidewalk Ordinance or how it might impact your home sale, reach out to a local expert for guidance!
