Agenda

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C. 18

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	January 11, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

ADOPT Sidewalk Obstructions Ordinance No. 2022-01

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 01/11/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Chris Lau (925) 313-7002

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: January 11, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Ordinance No. 2022-01, requiring property owners to keep sidewalks adjacent to their property free of obstructions.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The ordinance may create an incentive for property owners to keep the sidewalks abutting their property free of obstructions, thereby reducing the amount of staff time needed to clear obstructions from sidewalks.

BACKGROUND:

Chapter 1016-2 (the Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair Ordinance) of the County Ordinance Code and Chapter 22 of Part 3 of Division 7 of the California Streets and Highways Code require property owners to maintain and repair sidewalks along the frontage of their property. If a property owner’s failure to maintain the sidewalk abutting the property results in a condition that is a danger to the public, and a person suffers injury or damage while on the sidewalk, the property owner is liable to the injured person for the injury or damage caused by the dangerous condition.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Ordinance No. 2022-01, the Sidewalk Obstructions Ordinance, adds Section 1016-2.010 to the Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair Ordinance. The Sidewalk Obstructions Ordinance requires property owners to maintain sidewalks adjacent to their property by keeping the sidewalks free of weeds, rubbish, dirt, rocks, debris, or other obstructions, and authorizes the County to abate sidewalk obstructions pursuant to Ordinance Code Article 14-6.4 or any other remedy allowed by law, and to recover abatement costs by placing a lien on the property.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the Sidewalks Obstructions Ordinance is not adopted, there will be no incentive for property owners to keep the sidewalks abutting their property free of obstructions.