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Alameda County · Buying & selling

Sidewalk repairs in Alameda County

Alameda County's own rules on sidewalk repairs, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Alameda County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Alameda County's code says

Alameda County code What Alameda County's code adds
Liability for injuries
  • The owner is liable to anyone injured on or by the sidewalk if the owner's negligence causes the injury.
    § 12.13.040 · code text
    An owner shall be liable to any member of the general public injured on or by a sidewalk area if the owner's negligence under this chapter causes the injury.
Who must repair it
  • Every owner of a lot next to or fronting a sidewalk must repair and maintain it at the owner's cost.
    § 12.13.030 · code text
    It is the responsibility of every owner of any lot or parcel of land which is adjacent to or fronts on any portion of the sidewalk area in the unincorporated area of the county of Alameda to repair and maintain the sidewalk area, at the owner's cost,
  • The owner has the primary and exclusive duty to keep the sidewalk in reasonably safe condition.
    Applies: This applies whether or not the county gave notice or did similar repairs in the past.
    § 12.13.030 · code text
    The owner shall have the primary and exclusive duty to perform such repair and maintenance, whether or not the county has notified the owner of the need for such repairs or maintenance or has performed similar repairs or maintenance in the past.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the sidewalk repair rules for homeowners in Alameda County?

Alameda County's code: Every owner of a lot next to or fronting a sidewalk must repair and maintain it at the owner's cost. (§ 12.13.030); The owner is liable to anyone injured on or by the sidewalk if the owner's negligence causes the injury. (§ 12.13.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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More on buying & selling in Alameda County

All buying & selling rules in Alameda County

Alameda County Municipal Code — full text