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Your responsibility for the sidewalk

Under the California Streets and Highways Code, Section 5610, Public Works Code Section 706, and Public Works Order No. 177,525, property owners must keep the sidewalk next to their property in good condition and repair it when it's damaged. Damage you're responsible for includes:

  • Missing pavement
  • Raised, sunken, or uneven pavement
  • Holes or cracks
  • Missing sewer vent covers

Sidewalk Repair Permits

You need a Sidewalk Repair Permit for any sidewalk repair. This permit covers the sidewalk only; it doesn't cover changes to grading, curbs, curb ramps, gutters, driveway curb cuts, or the roadway.

We encourage property owners to check the sidewalk next to their property. If it's damaged, you can hire a licensed concrete contractor to make repairs, but you or your contractor must get a permit before work begins. For more information, email PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org

Voluntary sidewalk repairs

If you're repairing the sidewalk on your own (not in response to a City notice), you can get a Voluntary Sidewalk Repair Permit online or in person at the Permit Center, 49 South Van Ness Avenue, 2nd Floor.

This permit covers sidewalk work only. If your project also involves grading, curbs, curb ramps, gutters, driveway curb cuts, or the roadway, you'll need a different permit.  

Consider a sidewalk garden instead

Instead of replacing your sidewalk with concrete, you can turn part of it into a garden with a Sidewalk Landscaping Permit from the Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF). Sidewalk gardens look great, provide habitat for birds and pollinators, absorb stormwater to help reduce flooding, and can increase property values. You can also plant street trees under this permit.

To apply, visit the Permits Portal or call BUF at 628-652-8733.
 

NOTICE TO REPAIR PROCESS

There are 2 ways you could possibly receive a Notice to Repair (NTR) :

  • San Francisco Public Works Permits and Inspections receives a complaint regarding damaged sidewalk
  • SIRP (Sidewalk Inspection and Repair Program) is scheduled to assess your neighborhood for damaged sidewalk
  1. Public Works inspector assesses your sidewalk for damage and marks area with white “X’s” or dots in need of repair
  2. A general notice is posted on your property stating repairs are required
  3. You will receive a “Notice to Repair” via USPS Mail that states 
    a. Total Square Footage (SF) and/or Linear Footage (LF) required for repair 
    b. Permits required for work to be performed
  4. Work must be commenced within 30-Days of NTR date
  5. Determine if you or a hired contractor will commence work 
    a. Please note : A California State Licensed Contractor (A or C-8) with a $25,000 City Street Excavation Bond must be selected if work is required to the curb and/or roadway/gutter area. For your convenience, we maintain a list of concrete contractors meeting the requirements.
    b. If notice is part of the SIRP program, you have the option of having the City Contractor perform the work. Simply select that choice on the letter and return it within 30 days of receipt.
  6. If you would like to apply for a Sidewalk Repair Permit in response to a Notice to Repair (NTR), please register and apply using the new Public Works Permits Portal.
  7. If the defects are minor and approval is attained from a SF Public Works Inspector, you may choose to make the repairs yourself by utilizing the instructions per DPW Order 177,526. While a permit is not required for minor repairs, the repairs will be inspected, and if the repairs are deemed to be unacceptable, the damaged section will be replaced and an invoice will be sent to you
  8. Complete work within permitted time
  9. Contact inspector to notify them that work has been completed.
  10. SF Public Works Inspector will re-inspect to make sure all work has been completed and to code.
     

Permit Requirements

If work to be performed on sidewalk only:

  • Sidewalk Repair Permit
  • Street Space permit (for construction parking/staging)
  • Board of Appeals surcharge
  • Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA) Parking Meter fee (applicable where meters are present)

  • Any changes in approved sidewalk repair permit shall be subject to a fee. If expired, the permit shall be considered null and void

     

If work to be performed on Sidewalk + Curb replacement, including driveway and/or existing encroachments:

  • A property owner must hire a California State Licensed Contractor (A or C-8) with a $25,000 City Street Excavation Bond before applying for a Street Improvement (SI) Permit. This bond is required for the excavation of the roadway that results from replacement of an existing damaged curb. Please note that without a licensed bonded contractor, a permit cannot be processed or issued. Click here for a list of Concrete Contractors that is provided for the convenience of the recipient; no recommendation is inferred of implied.
  • Street Improvement Permit: The base fee includes processing, a minimum two (2) hours of inspection (additional fees may apply) and a Board of Appeals surcharge. Any changes in approved Street Improvement permit shall be subject to additional fees. If expired, the permit shall be considered null and void.
  • For repair of sidewalks above or adjacent to existing sub-sidewalk basements, or other encroachments, a Street Improvement and Minor Sidewalk Encroachment (MSE) Permit shall be required. A Street Improvement permit base fee, a Minor Sidewalk Encroachment processing fee (existing encroachments ONLY), a Board of Appeals surcharge, plus an annual assessment fee shall be required. If the existing sub-sidewalk basement requires any structural work or upgrades, a building permit from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) at 49 South Van Ness must be applied for prior to applying for the Street Improvement and Minor Sidewalk Encroachment Permits.
  • For existing encroachments that do not require reconstruction or modification, a Minor Sidewalk Encroachment permit is required.
  • For any other permits that may be required by an inspector or to answer any questions about the Permit Process, please call our office at 628-271-2000 . Please have your NTR number and/or property address available.

  • For any questions about the Inspection Process (e.g. 30-day extensions, existing defects, colored dots etc.), please call or email the District Inspector whose name appears on your Notice

     

For your convenience, Public Works inspectors have marked the defective sections of your sidewalk with color-coded dots. Different colored dots denote who is responsible for the repairs:

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or clarification on any of the permit requirements, please contact us at:
San Francisco Public Works • Permits
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103 
Email: PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org Phone: (628) 271-2000

San Francisco Public Works • Permit Center 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • Map

Processing Hours:
•Please visit https://sf.gov/location/permit-center for operating hours of the Permit Center. 
• Closed on official holidays