Sacramento County has a sidewalk repair program in place to prioritize repair and replacement work as funding allows.
Repair Responsibility
The repair of damaged gutter and/or sidewalk is covered in Section 5610 of the California Streets and Highways Code and the County’s 1992 Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Policy. The 1992 Policy distinguishes between “single family and duplex residential areas” (commonly referred to as “Residential properties”) and “all areas other than single family and duplex residential areas” (commonly referred to as “Commercial properties”).
Damaged sidewalk and/or associated gutter adjacent to a Commercial property is referred to the property owner for repair through a Repair Notice.
For damage sidewalk and/or associated gutter adjacent to a Residential property, the repair responsibility is the fronting property owner. Qualifying locations (see below) may be repaired at the sole cost and discretion of the County. For damage gutter with no adjacent sidewalk, the repair responsibility is the County. The fronting property owner may choose to repair the damage gutter at their own cost.
The “Sidewalk Repair List” And Repair Projects
Qualifying locations per the 1992 Policy may be added to the “Sidewalk Repair List,” which has about 7,000 locations. A location qualifies if (1) the sidewalk or gutter is lifted more than 3/4 inch or (2) if the gutter has standing water exceeding 1 inch deep for 10 or more feet. The Sidewalk Repair List is prioritized based on severity of the damage and years on the Sidewalk Repair List.
A damaged location is typically on the Sidewalk Repair List at least several years before repair because repairs are limited and based on available funding. The County does not have a concrete repair crew, so repairs are made through the contracting process. A repair project is bid annually or when funding is available, and a project typically focuses on a street block or geographical area for economic efficiency.
Asphalt Repairs
An "asphalt repair" is asphalt placed on gutter and/or sidewalk to eliminate a vertical or horizontal displacement, like lifted gutter or sidewalk or a low spot in the gutter. An asphalt repair is made until a concrete repair can be made by the County or the fronting property owner (see above). All gutters and sidewalks within the County Right-of-Way, regardless of who is responsible for the concrete repair, are eligible for asphalt repairs. Department of Transportation maintenance staff may also perform other maintenance activities, if possible, such as grinding the sidewalk, grooving the gutter, and so on to address damaged gutter or sidewalk.
New Sidewalk Requests
The unincorporated area of Sacramento County has over $318 million of pedestrian infrastructure needs, including missing sidewalk segments.
New sidewalks will be constructed to fill existing gaps based on available funding and the PMP priority guidelines. When a request for a new sidewalk segment is received, the location is documented, prioritized based on the PMP, and added to a future project list for consideration when funding becomes available.
To request a new sidewalk segment(s) in your neighborhood please submit a request online at Sacramento County 311 and go to “Request Services Online” in the right hand menu.
New Curb Ramp Requests
The ADA Transition Plan provides guidelines and identifies locations for the removal of physical barriers in the public right-of-way within the unincorporated County that prohibit access for the disabled community. An example of a physical barrier is the lack of a curb ramp(s) at a street corner. A curb ramp (see photo) allows a wheelchair to access a street crosswalk from the sidewalk.
Many considerations can be involved in the installation of a curb ramp that can greatly influence the installation schedule and cost, such as the need for obtaining additional right-of-way. Curb ramps are installed at intersections in the unincorporated County based on usage and as funding permits. When a request for curb ramps is received, the location is documented, and added to a future project list to be considered when funding becomes available.
Additional Information
Call 311 or 875-4311 or report online at https://311.saccounty.gov.