Repair the sidewalk in front of your house

If the sidewalk in front of your home is cracked, lifted, or damaged, you're responsible for getting it repaired. We offer cost-sharing to help cover costs.

• Property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks next to their property (City code chapter 11.60)
• We pay up to 50% of the repair cost
• Before you start repairs, you need to:
  • Use a licensed contractor
  • Get a permit

The sidewalk repair program helps property owners cover repair costs and keep sidewalks safe for everyone.

Check your property jurisdiction to make sure it’s in San Rafael.

City cost contribution

Curb and gutter construction

The maximum City contribution is:

• $6,000 per property for residential properties
• $3,000 per property for commercial properties

Driveway apron

A driveway apron is the short, sloped part of a driveway that connects the edge of the street to the start of your private driveway. If you have a driveway apron, you need to pay 100% of the cost for the driveway apron repair.

Trees

If the tree is in the public right-of-way, the City’s arborist will decide what happens to it. The arborist will check whether the tree can survive having its roots trimmed during sidewalk repairs. If the tree can’t survive the trimming, or if it’s likely to damage the sidewalk again in a few years, the arborist may recommend removing it.

Here’s what could happen:

• If the tree must be removed: we will let you know before the tree is taken out.
• If the tree can stay: the roots will be trimmed based on the arborist’s advice.

If your tree is removed during sidewalk repairs:

• We will plant a new tree in the public right-of-way (not on your property).
• The new tree will come from the City’s approved list of street trees.
• We will pay for and plant the new tree, but it may take up to 12 months after the sidewalk repair is done.

To help the new tree grow strong roots that don’t damage the sidewalk, you need to water it following City guidelines. We will coordinate this with you once the work is finished.

1. Apply for sidewalk repair cost-share

Login to our online application system. If you haven't used it before, you'll need to set up an account.

2. Get a pre-construction inspection

We will inspect the area around your property. If a sidewalk is unsafe or could cause someone to trip, it will be marked for repair. These areas will also be listed in your pre-construction inspection report. You must fix everything the City identifies, but you can choose to repair more if you want — at your own expense.

Your inspection report will include accessibility (ADA) requirements. This means things like the slope and height of the sidewalk must meet specific standards. If the repair area includes a corner without an ADA ramp, a ramp will need to be added. In that case, the City will pay for the cost of the ramp.

3. Hire a licensed contractor

You'll need to find a contractor who is licensed to do concrete work in San Rafael and pay prevailing wages. Ask them for an itemized proposal.

Upload their proposal to your online application. We will review the proposal and generate an agreement for the project.

4. Sign the agreement

You and the contractor need to sign the agreement. After it's signed, we will issue a permit.

5. Start construction

Once the permit is issued, the contractor can begin work.

6. Get a final inspection

After the work is done, schedule a final inspection with a City inspector.

Upload proof of your payment to the contractor to your online permit. Then we will reimburse you for the City's share of the costs.