Introduction of Revised Sidewalk
Ordinance
City Council Meeting
March 3, 2026
Items to Discuss
• Background
• Brief overview of the sidewalk program
• Revised sidewalk ordinance
• Next steps
• Recommendation to introduce the proposed
ordinance
Background
February 2025:
Launch of sidewalk
pilot program
January 6, 2026:
Collections Policy and
associated ordinance
adopted by City Council.
Sidewalk ordinance
proposed – City Council
gave direction to revise
and return
March 3, 2026:
Introduce revised
ordinance
Recent Program
Changes and Pilot
Program to Promote
More Sidewalk Repair
• Temporary repair for all eligible conditions, not
just those caused by a street tree, saving owners
time and money.
• February 2025, pilot program launched to
increase compliance for non-tree damaged
sidewalk replacement:
• Owners can elect City perform work and be
invoiced.
• Financial assistance available for hardship
cases (full or partial coverage).
• So far, over 70% participation rate in having
the City do the work.
Proposed Revised Ordinance
Codifies City’s authority to establish and administer a program, like the pilot program, that allows the City to perform required sidewalk repairs under a voluntary agreement and be reimbursed by the property owner.
Codifies City’s ability to offer financial
assistance at multiple points in the process
- at initial repair notification
- If City completes work due to non-
responsiveness and issues an invoice
Codifies City’s authority to offer payment plans.
Authorizes the City to initiate a collections process, in accordance with Collections Policy, in on delinquent accounts related to sidewalk repair costs.
Next Steps
March 3, 2026:
Introduce revised
ordinance
March 17, 2026:
Second reading of
ordinance
February 2027:
Report to City Council
on sidewalk program
pilot (2 years of
implementation)
Staff Recommendation
Introduction of Ordinance Amending Alameda Municipal Code by Repealing Chapter XXII (Streets and Sidewalks), Article I (Streets), Section 22-3 (Repairs) in Its Entirety and Repealing and Replacing Chapter XXII (Streets and Sidewalks), Article II (Sidewalks), Sections 22-18 (Repair of Sidewalks and Other Works) and 22-20 (Specifications) to Amend the Sidewalk Repair Procedures and Make Other Technical Amendments