Sidewalk repairs in Redwood City: the local rules

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

What Redwood City's code says

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
If the owner does not repair	The City does the work, bills the owner, and may place a lien if not repaid in time. Applies: When the owner fails to build or replace a required sidewalk, curb or gutter. § 29.34 · code text Failure of the property owner to replace the curb, gutter or sidewalk when required to do so, shall be cause for the City to perform such work, charge the property owner for the cost thereof and if the owner fails to reimburse the City within the time required, place a lien on the property The City does the work, bills the owner, and may place a lien if not repaid in time. Applies: When a required sidewalk is not built after a building is built or moved onto a lot with permanent concrete curbing. § 29.35 · code text Failure to construct the sidewalk as so required shall be cause for the City to perform such work, charge the property owner for the cost thereof and if the owner fails to reimburse the City within the time required, place a lien on the property The City does the work, bills the owner, and may place a lien if not repaid in time. Applies: When a required sidewalk is not built after 50 percent of the block front is improved. § 29.36 · code text Failure of any property owner to so construct the sidewalk shall be cause for the City to perform such work, charge the property owner for the cost thereof and if the owner fails to reimburse the City within the time required, place a lien on the property The City Engineer repairs the walkway, sidewalk, curb, driveway, bulkhead, retaining wall, park or parking strip. Applies: When the owner does not start the repair by the deadline and finish it, unless an appeal succeeds. § 29.47 · code text the City Engineer shall forthwith repair the walkway, sidewalk, curb, driveway, bulkhead, retaining wall, park or parking strip.
Deadline to repair	Start within 30 days of the posted notice and finish without delay. § 29.47 · code text Unless the repair required in the notice shall be commenced by the owner within thirty (30) days from the date of posting notice Start within 15 days of notice of the City Manager's decision. Applies: After an appeal to the City Manager that does not succeed. § 29.47 · code text or in case of an appeal to the City Manager as set out in Section 29.45 within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice of the determination thereof, unless such appeal be sustained
Who must repair it	The owner, or whoever moves or builds the building, must install a standard concrete sidewalk. Applies: When a building is built on or moved to a lot facing a street with permanent concrete curbing. § 29.35 · code text it shall be mandatory that a standard concrete sidewalk be installed on such property by the owner of such property or the person moving or constructing the building on the property. The person who caused the tree removal must do the repair. Applies: When removing a parkway tree requires repair or replacement of curb, gutter and/or sidewalk. § 29.34 · code text it shall become the responsibility of the person or persons causing the removal of the tree, to repair or replace the curb, gutter and/or sidewalk to the original grade line. All property owners on the block must build a standard concrete sidewalk. Applies: When 50 percent of a block's frontage along a permanent concrete curb has homes or other buildings. § 29.36 · code text Whenever fifty percent (50%) of the property of any block fronting upon a permanent concrete curb located on the official line and grade of the street, becomes improved by the erection of residences or other buildings, it shall be mandatory that all property owners in the block, whether their property be improved or not, shall construct a regulation concrete sidewalk

Who this affects

BuyersSellersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What are the sidewalk repair rules for homeowners in Redwood City?

Redwood City's code: The owner, or whoever moves or builds the building, must install a standard concrete sidewalk. (When a building is built on or moved to a lot facing a street with permanent concrete curbing.) (§ 29.35); The City does the work, bills the owner, and may place a lien if not repaid in time. (When the owner fails to build or replace a required sidewalk, curb or gutter.) (§ 29.34).

Sidewalk repairs in Redwood City

What Redwood City's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Redwood City property

More on buying & selling in Redwood City