Walkways last when they're poured over compacted soil and an aggregate base, sloped to shed water and jointed at regular intervals. In the City of Sacramento, property owners are responsible for repairing the public sidewalk next to their property, and work in the right-of-way follows city specifications and permit rules.
Last updated
Walkways and sidewalks are narrow slabs that carry a lot of foot traffic, and around Sacramento they're usually where tree roots show up first. The region is known for its large street trees, and many older neighborhoods have sidewalk panels that roots have lifted, tilted or cracked. Newer subdivisions have their own issues, mostly settling near garages and walks where fill wasn't compacted well.
Common walkway projects
- New front walks from the driveway or sidewalk to the door
- Side-yard and garden paths, often as part of a lawn conversion
- Replacing lifted, cracked or sunken panels
- Concrete steps and landings
- Widening a walk for strollers, wheelchairs or walkers
Who fixes the public sidewalk?
This surprises a lot of new homeowners. In the City of Sacramento, the property owner is responsible for the cost of maintaining and repairing the sidewalk next to their property, under the California Streets and Highways Code and the city code. The city's sidewalk program is request-based: when someone reports a defect, an inspector looks at the site, and if repairs are needed the owner gets a repair notice with options to hire a licensed contractor, do the work to city specifications, or have the city do it and bill the owner. The city's handbook says the notice serves as the permit and asks owners to contact the inspector before work starts. Curbs and gutters are handled differently, so read your notice closely.
Other cities and Sacramento County set their own sidewalk policies, and many require an encroachment permit for any work in the right-of-way. Check with your city's public works department before replacing a public sidewalk. Our guide to sidewalk repair notices in Sacramento walks through the steps.
Tree roots
Cutting large roots to make room for new concrete can injure or destabilize a tree. In the City of Sacramento, root cutting near city street trees is coordinated with the city's urban forestry staff, and other cities have their own tree rules. Options include ramping or curving the walk, bridging over roots, or leaving a wider planting gap. Ask the contractor how they'll handle roots before they cut anything.
Building a walk that stays flat
The soil is compacted, an aggregate base is placed and the walk is poured with a slight cross-slope so water sheds off. Control joints are tooled at regular intervals, often about the width of the walk apart, and isolation joints separate the walk from the house, steps and driveway. Keep sprinkler spray off the walk; repeated wetting of clay along one edge leads to tilting.
Steps
Steps need consistent riser heights and tread depths. Steps attached to the house or serving as a required exit may fall under the building code, including handrails above a certain number of risers, so ask whether a permit is needed.
Repair or replace?
- Hairline cracks are usually cosmetic.
- Small lifted edges can sometimes be ground down to remove the trip hazard.
- Sunken panels that are intact can often be lifted. See concrete repair and leveling.
- Broken or root-heaved panels are usually replaced joint to joint.
Questions to ask
- Do you work to the city's sidewalk specifications, and will you contact the inspector?
- How will you handle roots near the walk?
- What base and thickness will you use?
- What is your CSLB license number?
Have a repair notice or a trip hazard? Request a walkway contractor and include a photo of the notice and the damage.
See how it works
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house in Sacramento?
In the City of Sacramento, the adjacent property owner is responsible for the cost of sidewalk maintenance and repair, even when a street tree's roots caused the damage. Other cities and Sacramento County set their own policies, so check with your local public works department.
I got a sidewalk repair notice. What are my options?
The City of Sacramento's handbook lists three: hire a licensed contractor, do the work yourself to city specifications, or have the city do it and bill you. For the first two, contact the inspector before starting; the notice serves as your permit.
Can I just grind down a lifted sidewalk edge?
A small raised edge can sometimes be ground to remove a trip hazard. Panels that are broken, badly tilted or still being pushed up by roots usually need replacement. If the sidewalk is public, follow your city's rules for the repair.
Sources and further reading
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB): C-8 Concrete classification
- CSLB: minor work exemption rises to $1,000 (AB 2622), effective January 1, 2025
- City of Sacramento: Sidewalk Maintenance Program Handbook
- City of Sacramento Public Works: Engineering Services Permits
- Sacramento County Department of Transportation: Encroachment Permits
- City of Elk Grove: Encroachment Permits
- City of Roseville: Engineering Permits
- City of Davis: Encroachment Permits
- UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County: Soil (clay and hardpan resources)
- USDA NRCS Official Soil Series: San Joaquin (clay over duripan)
- California Department of Water Resources: Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
- USA North 811: call before you dig in Northern California
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)