Contact Us

Sidewalks & Ramps
1404 Mabury Rd.
San Jose, CA 95133

Phone: (408) 794-1901

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sidewalks & Curb Ramps

Safety

Well maintained street trees, sidewalks, and curb ramps (ADA accessibility ramps) provide safe and desirable travel ways for pedestrians and others to enjoy neighborhoods, commercial centers, and other areas of the city. Maintaining street trees and sidewalks depends on the efforts of residents, property owners, and the City.

Maintenance

As in many cities, San José’s Municipal Code, all property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, park strip area, and curb and gutter adjacent to their property.

To ask about repairs to any of these areas, or to request a permit to work on the sidewalk, park strip (and street trees), or curb and gutter area, please email TreesAndSidewalks@sanjoseca.gov.

Inspections

The sidewalk inspections are performed upon request. To request an inspection, please email TreesAndSidewalks@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-794-1901.

We inspect sidewalk and street tree conditions:

When there has been a request to do so by the adjacent property owner of the sidewalk or street tree.
Or by a concerned citizen over the condition of the sidewalk or street tree.

When responding to a request for inspection, the inspector will evaluate the entire site noting all concrete and sidewalk deficiencies at the site and the neighboring properties.

Repair Criteria

Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the sidewalk, park strip, driveway approach and curb and gutter located adjacent to the front and/or side portion of their property.
The sidewalk may be separated from the curb by a park strip area, or it is located adjacent to the curb.
The curb and gutter is located at the edge of the street pavement.

Based upon an inspection by City staff, repairs may be required if conditions are as described below:

Sidewalk, Park Strip, Driveway Approach Repairs

Vertical separation of more than one-half (1/2) inch
Ramping: rise or depression of more than one (1) inch within eight (8) inches, in conjunction with a vertical separation
Hole or opening in a break or construction joint of one (1) inches or more
Breaking away or spalling of concrete with a depth of more than one-half (1/2) inch

Curb and Gutter Repairs

Vertical separation of more than one-half (1/2) inch in an area where pedestrians normally travel
Broken away section adjacent to a marginal walk or driveway approach
Part of a driveway approach replacement

FEES

Although the City has had previous programs assisting property owners with the cost of sidewalk and tree repairs; currently, property owners are responsible for the entire cost of these maintenance items.

Property owners may request financial hardship assistance if their household annual income is three times the federal poverty level or less. Approval of financial hardship is limited to available funding and may not be awarded to all qualified applicants. To request financial hardship assistance, email TreesAndSidewalks@sanjoseca.gov and ask for a financial hardship assistance application form.

FAQs

Why is it my responsibility to maintain the sidewalk adjacent to my house?

Per San José’s Municipal Code (Sections 14.16.2200 – 14.16.2270), all property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, parkstrip area, and curb and gutter adjacent their property.
How long do I have to finish completing concrete repairs?

You have 60 days from the date of notification to complete all repairs.
Can I request additional time to make repairs?

The city will grant an extension of time (up to 30 days) as long as progress is being made in completing the repairs.
Do I need a permit for concrete repairs?

Yes, permits are required for repair or replacement of the sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway approaches, or curb ramp.
Why is there a permit fee?

Permits fees are charged as a means to partially recover the cost of the sidewalk program.
When and where do I pay my permit fees?

You will receive an invoice for permit fees after all of the work is complete and has passed a final inspection by the city. Permit fees should be paid to:

City of San Jose
Finance Department
200 E Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 535-3570

Do not send in a payment until you have received an invoice.
What if I can't afford to make the repairs?

The City may be able perform the required sidewalk and/or tree work for qualifying low-income owner-occupied properties if the property owner’s income is at or less than three times the National Poverty level.
What if I don’t qualify for hardship assistance?

You are still responsible for the repairs and failure to complete the repairs in a timely manner will result in the work being assigned to a City of San Jose contractor and an invoice being sent to the property owner.
What happens if I don't pay the invoice?

In some cases the Finance Department will allow you to set up a payment plan. However, failure to pay for services rendered will result in a lien being placed on the property and the balance paid on the following year’s property taxes.
Does any of the work require an inspection?

Yes, an inspection is required to help identify the sidewalk, curb, and gutter or parkstrip areas deficiencies, after the curb and gutter or driveway forms are installed, and after all work has been completed.
How long does it take to schedule a forms inspection?

Forms inspections require 24 hour notification.
Do I need to be present during the inspections?

No, The inspector will leave a door hanger on your door with the inspection results.
How will I know if I passed my inspection?

The city inspector will leave a door hanger on your door with the inspection results.
What is the parkstrip?

The parkstrip is the area between the sidewalk and the curb and gutter.
Who can do the work?

You may perform the work yourself, hire a licensed contractor, or authorize the City of San Jose to arrange and make any needed repairs.
How do I authorize the City of San Jose to make the required repairs?

You can authorize the City of San Jose to make the required repairs by returning the signed property owner authorization form which was included with your original notice.
When will the Asphalt repair along my new curb and gutter be completed?

Typically the asphalt will be repaired within 30 days from the date of the final inspection.
How do I request ramps in my neighborhood?

Call 408-794-6463, email CurbRamp.Request@sanjoseca.gov, or fill out the curb ramp request form.
What is the black bumpy thing on the curb ramp?

The bumps are truncated domes that are warning devices for the visually impaired indicating that they are about to enter a motorized travel way.
Why do the ramps need too be so big?

The ramps are designed to meet all ADA slope requirements.

More FAQs

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