Sidewalk Repairs and Inspections

Important Update on Oakland’s Sidewalk Ordinance

Since July 9, 2019, Oakland requires that all residential properties being sold have their sidewalks inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced. For details on this regulation, please refer to the Sidewalk Certification FAQ.

How the Certification Process Works

Depending on the condition of your sidewalks, the process may follow one of the following paths:

1. Properties with No Sidewalks

   • If your property has no sidewalks and less than 50% of the street frontage is paved (according to California Streets and Highways Code § 5875), no inspection or Sidewalk Compliance Certificate is required. For more information, you can contact the permit counter at DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov.

2. Sidewalks in Good Condition

   • If your sidewalks are in good condition, our team will conduct an initial inspection and provide a report with photographs, along with a Sidewalk Compliance Certificate to be submitted to the Oakland Public Works Department. The total fee for this service is $325.00, which includes the city’s certification fee of $87.21. This certificate is valid for 5 years.

3. Sidewalks Requiring Repairs

   • If the inspection reveals that repairs are needed, we will provide a detailed report with photographs and an estimate for the necessary repairs. We will mark the areas needing repair with white paint for your reference. Important: We do not certify repairs made by other contractors on properties we have inspected.