# Sidewalk Repair in Oakland, CA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Oakland the owner pays for sidewalk repair, but the City repairs at no cost for qualifying low-income owner-occupied homes, subject to funding.

**Who pays:** owner

Oakland: the property owner pays (OMC § 12.22.020(B)), but the City's Sidewalk Assistance Program repairs at no cost for qualifying low-income owner-occupied homes, subject to funding.

**Boundary:** Owners of lots adjacent/abutting/fronting the sidewalk area repair, maintain, and pay (§12.22.020(B)).

**Property owner:** OMC §12.22.020(B): owners of lots adjacent/abutting/fronting a sidewalk area "shall repair and maintain such sidewalk areas and pay the costs."

**City / agency:** City retains right-of-way ownership; enforcement/notice process per Ch. 12.22.

**Exceptions:** After a City notice letter, the owner must repair the sidewalk within 30 days.

## Sources
- [Oakland Municipal Code 12.22.020(B)](https://library.municode.com/ca/oakland/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT12STSIPUPL_CH12.22PROWRELISISAMA) — "shall repair and maintain such sidewalk areas and pay the costs." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Oakland: Property Owner Responsibilities for Sidewalks](https://www.oaklandca.gov/Public-Safety-Streets/Streets/Sidewalks/Property-Owner-Responsibilities-for-Sidewalks) (accessed 2026-08-21)
- [Property Owner Responsibilities for Sidewalks](https://www.oaklandca.gov/Public-Safety-Streets/Streets/Sidewalks/Property-Owner-Responsibilities-for-Sidewalks) — "Property owners in Oakland are responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks adjacent to their property." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Property Owner Responsibilities for Sidewalks](https://www.oaklandca.gov/Public-Safety-Streets/Streets/Sidewalks/Property-Owner-Responsibilities-for-Sidewalks) — "If you receive this letter, you must repair the sidewalk within 30 days." (accessed 2026-10-03)
- [Sidewalk Assistance Program](https://www.oaklandca.gov/Public-Safety-Streets/Streets/Sidewalks/Sidewalk-Assistance-Program) — "The Sidewalk Assistance Program will perform sidewalk repairs at no cost to qualifying low-income, owner-occupied properties, subject to available funding." (accessed 2026-10-03)

_Last verified 2026-10-03. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/oakland-ca-sidewalk-repair/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._