Effective July 9, 2019: Before a title transfer may be completed, property owners must complete an inspection, and any necessary repairs and upgrades, to bring abutting sidewalks into compliance. (Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 12 Section 12.04.380)
Q. Does this apply to me?
This City Council ordinance applies to property owners who are selling, buying, or renovating (project value > $100,000) property in Oakland.
Some exceptions include property transfers during the administration of a decedent’s estate, transfers between co-owners, transfers to trusts, transfers to a spouse or registered domestic partner (including in the event of marriage dissolution or separation), or transfers because of a foreclosure or similar process. Additionally, no physical improvements to the sidewalk are required during the construction or conversion of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) (Gov. Code, § 65852.2). However, this exception does not apply to a title transfer of a property with an existing ADU.
Q. What is the process to certify my sidewalk?
All property owners must apply for a Sidewalk Certificate of Compliance with the OakDOT Permit Counter prior to the first close of escrow on the property, or concurrent with the permitting process for a $100,000+ renovation. Fill out an application here and email to DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov. The compliance process will depend on the condition of your sidewalk.
If your sidewalk requires minor repair, you can complete the minor repair (defined as shaving/grinding, or removing and replacing less than 25 square feet) yourself or with a licensed contractor. After repairs are completed, apply for a Sidewalk Compliance Certificate. Only a licensed contractor (or professional engineer or licensed architect) can self-certify that the work has been performed per code and that your sidewalk is compliant.
If your sidewalk requires major repair, you will need to hire a licensed contractor who will obtain a Curb-Gutter-Sidewalk repair permit to complete the repairs. After repairs are completed, the licensed contractor (or professional engineer or licensed architect) will apply for a Sidewalk Compliance Certificate to attest that the repair and full sidewalk adjacent to your property is compliant. Note: a Sidewalk Certificate of Compliance does not provide authorization to begin construction on repairs larger than 25 square feet.
If your sidewalk does not require repair, you will need a licensed contractor (or professional engineer or licensed architect) to inspect the sidewalk and to apply for a Sidewalk Certificate of Compliance at the OakDOT Permit Counter or DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov. Again, you do not need to wait for a City inspection to receive your Certificate of Compliance.
If your property does not have a sidewalk and you are transferring title, request an exemption certification.
If your property does not have a sidewalk and you are performing renovation exceeding $100,000 in valuation and more than 50% of the frontage on your street or block has sidewalks, you may be required to construct sidewalks per California Streets and Highways Code § 5875. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Permit Counter at DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov.
Q. How do I know if my sidewalk requires repair?
Any crack, depression, or vertical offset of more than ¼ inch is considered a defect, per Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.
Q. Which documents will I need to certify my sidewalk?
Any documents that support the representation made in your application including the inspection report, a detailed contractor’s invoice, and photographs of the sidewalk (before and after, as appropriate). Supporting documents will be scanned and added to the certification record in OakDOT’s permit database.
Q. How much will it cost to obtain a compliance certificate?
Applicants pay the standard OakDOT Permit Intake Fee + a 14.75% Records and Technology Fee. As of April 2023, the Intake Fee + 14.75% amounted to $87.21. Sidewalk repair permits carry a separate fee. Consult the Oakland Master Fee Schedule for up-to-date fee details.
Q. What if I cannot complete the repair in time?
If you cannot obtain a Compliance Certificate for your sidewalk before title transfer, you may apply for a Provisional Sidewalk Compliance Certificate which will allow a 120-day extension from the issue date for sidewalk repair work to be completed. The Provisional Sidewalk Compliance Certificate must be issued before title transfer. Up to two (2) additional 120-day extensions may be issued at request. Full fees apply.
During the 120-day extension period, the responsible party, as negotiated between the buyer and seller, shall complete the requirements to obtain a Sidewalk Compliance Certificate by repairing or replacing the sidewalk as necessary. Note that once the title transfer is complete, the new property owner is solely responsible for obtaining the Sidewalk Compliance Certificate.
Applicants applying for a Provisional Sidewalk Compliance Certificate will pay the standard OakDOT Permit Intake Fee + a 14.75% Records and Technology Fee. As of April 2023, the Intake Fee + 14.75% amounted to $87.21 (consult the Oakland Master Fee Schedule [MFS] for up-to-date fee details). This fee will then be applied towards the final Compliance Certificate once compliance is achieved before the end of the 120-day period.
Failure to comply may result in an OakDOT inspection, and further civil penalties may ensue, up to and including a lien on the subject property.
Q. Which types of contractors can certify sidewalk repairs?
A self-certification inspection shall be conducted by a contractor holding specified “A,” “B,” “C-8” or “D-6” license and a current valid Oakland Business License.
In addition to the above licenses, if concurrent permitted work is occurring, the contractor permitted to work at the address may inspect and certify the sidewalk so long as their contractor license includes concrete or related construction (e.g. “C-42” or “C-57”).
Q. How long is the Compliance Certificate effective?
A Compliance Certificate will be effective for 5 years after the date of issuance.
You do not need to apply for a new Sidewalk Compliance Certificate if your property has a valid and unexpired Sidewalk Compliance Certificate.
To check if your property has a valid and unexpired Compliance Certificate, check the City’s Accela permit system here for the property address (the certification will appear as the Record Type “OPW – Curb Gutter Sidewalk”) or email the OakDOT Permit Counter at DOTOnlinePermits@oaklandca.gov.
Q. What if my property is part of a Homeowners Association?
A Home Owners Association (HOA) or Community Association is a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association that manages or governs a joint owner development and operates in accordance with governing documents, whether the corporation or association is formally designated or commonly referred to as an HOA or community association. Examples include condominiums, townhomes, planned unit developments, stock cooperatives, and other projects where separately owned individual units or parcels exist in conjunction with a common area.
HOAs or Community Associations are responsible for maintaining, repairing, and certifying sidewalks when sidewalks are a “common element” or a “common area” in governing documents such as the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). The individual unit owners--as a group--are responsible for maintaining repairing, and certifying sidewalks if the HOA or Community Association does not cover sidewalks as a “common element” or a “common area” in governing documents such as the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs), or the joint owner development is not managed or governed by a HOA or Community Association.
Each HOA or Community Association should bring all sidewalks adjacent to the development into compliance. The HOA or Community Association will receive a Compliance Certificate once all sidewalks within their maintenance responsibility comply through the regular compliance process. Compliance Certificates are valid for 5 years.
If you are buying, selling, or renovating a property in an HOA or Community Association, contact your HOA or Community Association to request a copy of the Compliance Certificate to use during title transfer.
If your HOA or Community Association does not yet have a Sidewalk Compliance Certificate, then a no-fee Compliance Certificate can be issued to you as the property owner from the OakDOT Permit Counter. The City may then inspect the sidewalks and issue Notices to Repair for damaged sidewalks to the HOA or Community Association. If a condominium is not part of a HOA or Community Association, the property owner is responsible for certifying the sidewalk themselves.
Q. What if my sidewalk is damaged by a City tree?
If you believe sidewalk damage is caused by a City of Oakland tree, the City must first verify that the tree is an official City tree. If the tree is not an official City tree, repair responsibility rests with the property owner. If the tree is an official City tree, the City must determine whether sidewalk damage at the address is caused exclusively by a City tree, partially, or not at all. The property owner must still arrange for inspection and repairs as needed for the remainder of the sidewalk. A Sidewalk Certificate of Compliance can be issued even if verified damage due to City trees has not been repaired by the City.
Q. Is concrete shaving or horizontal sawcutting allowed and do I need a permit?
This repair technique involves special equipment that “shaves” concrete panels to eliminate minor sidewalk uplifts without grinding or damaging the concrete slab. No permit is required for repairs under 25 square feet.