TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Maria Öberg
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: May 11, 2026
Approved
Date:
5/15/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Recording Liens on Properties for the Costs of Sidewalk Repairs to be Placed on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County of Santa Clara Secured Property Tax Roll
RECOMMENDATION
(a) Conduct a Public Hearing on recording liens on properties for the reimbursement of the cost of sidewalk repairs.
(b) Adopt a resolution confirming the Report from the Director of Finance concerning the delinquent sidewalk repair costs and the assessments contained in the report.
(c) Direct the recording of liens and the placement of charges as set forth therein on the 2026-2027 County of Santa Clara for the cost of sidewalk repairs.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
After conducting a public hearing, the City Council may confirm the Report from the Director of Finance (Director’s Report) and approve placing a lien against the property for the unpaid amount, to be paid with the next annual County of Santa Clara (County) secured property tax bill. The Director’s Report identifies 66 properties that are subject to lien for a total lien amount of $149,519.93. See Attachment – Report from the Director of Finance – Sidewalk Repair Costs as of April 16, 2026.
BACKGROUND
On March 17, 2026, the City Council set a hearing for June 2, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. for public comment and approval of the Director’s Report to record liens and the placement of charges on the County secured property tax bill for the cost of sidewalk repairs the City of San José (City) made on behalf of property owners.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/2/26
FILE: 26-655
ITEM: 3.4
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Recording Liens on Properties for the Costs of Sidewalk Repairs to be Placed on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County of Santa Clara Secured Property Tax Roll
State law, as set forth in Chapter 22 of Division 7, Part 3, of the Streets and Highways Code of California, and San José Municipal Code Section 14.16.2200 - Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks, make it the duty of each property owner to maintain the sidewalk fronting their property in a safe condition. When sidewalks need repair, the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) inspects the property and obtains a cost estimate from City-approved contractors. DOT then sends a repair notice, along with the cost estimate, to the property owner. The notice includes financial hardship information for those who need assistance with paying for the sidewalk repairs. Approximately six weeks after the repair notice is sent, DOT mails a second notice to the property owner stating repairs will be made by a contractor, hired by DOT, if the owner does not repair the sidewalk within 45 days. If the repairs are not made by the owner by the deadline, a final notice is mailed one week later. After mailing the final notice, DOT places a door hanger notice at the property address stating a contractor, hired by the City, will be assigned to make the necessary sidewalk repairs. After repairs are performed by the contractor, DOT invoices the property owner for the cost of sidewalk repairs, including a permit fee.
If the invoice remains unpaid, the Finance Department sends 60-day, 90-day, and final notices to recover the costs of unpaid invoices. The City Council, upon confirming the amounts owed after a public hearing, can approve the filing of liens against the defaulting properties with the County Office of the Clerk-Recorder.
Property owners may set up a payment plan or pay the full amount due at any time, prior to the public hearing on June 2, 2026. However, if a balance remains after June 2, 2026, an additional $168 administrative fee, which includes an $8 lien-release fee charged by the County Office of the Clerk-Recorder, will be added. The Director of Finance shall record a lien with the County Office of the Clerk-Recorder to secure the special assessment until such time that the special assessment may be placed on the County secured property tax bill. Recording liens against property owners for outstanding sidewalk repair costs helps ensure collection of past due amounts if the property is sold, transferred, or refinanced.
Between July 1, 2025, and April 27, 2026, 2,175 property owners completed sidewalk repairs using their own contractor, resulting in Sidewalk Repair Inspection Permit Fees of $149,820. In addition, 1,721 properties were serviced by City Contractors on behalf of property owners, adding $120,406 in Sidewalk Repair Inspection Permit Fees and an estimated $2,500,000 advanced from the General Fund to repair sidewalks.
Financial Hardship Assistance Program
Financial hardship assistance is available for work required by the City at owner- occupied, single-family residences only, based on income guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in accordance with Area Median Income. Property owners with incomes below 50% Area Median Income are eligible for
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Recording Liens on Properties for the Costs of Sidewalk Repairs to be Placed on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County of Santa Clara Secured Property Tax Roll
100% hardship assistance, or incomes below 80% Area Median Income for partial (50%) assistance. To be eligible for financial hardship assistance, proof of income is required from all owners on the title.
Between July 1, 2025, to April 27,2026, DOT received 193 requests for sidewalk hardship assistance, and approved 95 properties at an approximate cost of $432,000.
The annual allocation for Sidewalk Repair Financial Hardship Assistance Program within DOT’s non-personal/equipment appropriation is approximately $429,000. DOT will continue to monitor financial hardship approvals and associated costs, and work with the City Manager’s Budget Office to consider any necessary funding adjustments for the hardship program during the budget process.
ANALYSIS
The Director’s Report includes properties for which the City incurred costs for sidewalk repairs on behalf of the property owners, and for which payment to the City remains outstanding. The report identifies 66 properties that are subject to a potential lien, for a total lien amount, including administrative fees, of $149,519.93. Individual lien amounts vary from $299.92 to $16,136.03.
Finance Department staff work diligently to recover the costs of delinquent sidewalk repairs; however, in some cases, property owners neglect to pay the outstanding obligations. The City ultimately receives 99% of the amount due through the County secured property tax bill process. Following is a summary of the billing and collection process as it relates to recovering City incurred costs for sidewalk repairs:
• DOT issues initial invoices for sidewalk repairs; payments are due within 30 days.
• Finance Department sends a 60-day delinquency notice. • Finance Department may call the property owner, if telephone contact information is available, to attempt the collection of delinquent obligations. • Finance Department sends a 90-day and delinquency final notice. • Two Notices of Intent to Lien are sent to each delinquent property owner at the mailing address of record.
• Administrative conferences are held by DOT to provide property owners with an opportunity to resolve any issues prior to the public hearing. • City Council holds a public hearing and authorizes the placement of liens on properties with delinquent obligations.
• The County Office of the Clerk-Recorder places liens on delinquent properties. • The County Department of Tax and Collections collects delinquent amounts through the annual property tax assessment.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Recording Liens on Properties for the Costs of Sidewalk Repairs to be Placed on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County of Santa Clara Secured Property Tax Roll
• The full amount assessed (less a 1.0% County Tax Collection Fee) is remitted to the City.
The memorandum for the March 17, 2026 City Council meeting included 114 properties that were subject to a potential lien for a total lien amount, including administrative fees, of $218,434.11. Since the submission of that City Council memorandum, the following has occurred:
• 38 accounts have paid the outstanding balance in full. • Four accounts have paid the principal balance in full. • Three accounts have entered into a payment plan agreement. • Three accounts have been cancelled.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Finance Department staff will continue its collection efforts to reduce the number of delinquent accounts that will be forwarded for collection on the County secured property tax bill. Furthermore, Finance Department staff will continue to monitor accounts forwarded to the County for collection on the County secured property tax bill for full compliance with the Sidewalk Lien program.
FISCAL IMPACTS
By placing a special assessment secured by a lien, the City will recover payment of $116,786.27 in delinquent funds that were advanced from the General Fund to repair the sidewalks for those properties. In addition, there are $21,645.66 in delinquency fees and $11,088.00 in lien fees, totaling $149,519.93.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, and DOT.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Notices of public hearing (Notice of Intent to Lien) were mailed to each property owner on March 20, 2026, and March 30, 2026. These mailings are necessary to properly notify property owners of the date, time, and place of the public hearing and the impending lien on their property, while affording property owners an opportunity to schedule an administrative conference with DOT staff to resolve potential protests prior
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Recording Liens on Properties for the Costs of Sidewalk Repairs to be Placed on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County of Santa Clara Secured Property Tax Roll
to the public hearing. The administrative conferences were held from April 7 to April 9, 2026, in the DOT offices. These conferences do not affect the property owners’ right to protest the proposed assessment at the City Council public hearing. Additionally, this memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the June 2, 2026 City Council meeting.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No board, commission or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-004, Government Funding Mechanism or Fiscal Activity with no commitment to a specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
Maria Öberg
Director of Finance
For questions, please contact John Kachmanian, Deputy Director of Revenue Management, Finance Department, at [email protected] or (408) 535- 7304
ATTACHMENT:
Report from the Director of Finance – Sidewalk Repair Costs as of April 16, 2026 Count Invoice Citation Ma iling Address City, State, Zip Code Violation Address APN Original Balance Current Balance Lien Fee Total Balance 1 1253959 X00025899 1524 ADRIAN WY SAN JOSE CA 95122 1524 ADRIAN WY 48626046 1,361.54 1,749.31 168.00 1,917.31
2 1260070 X00028453 1404 ANNAPOLIS WY SAN JOSE CA 95118 1404 ANNAPOLIS WY 56931044 130.02 184.70 168.00 352.70
3 1266080 X00030432 2890 KLEIN RD SAN JOSE CA 95148 3908 ARDEN FARMS PL 49408043 4,915.76 5,592.19 168.00 5,760.19
4 1266242 X00030582 1837 BIRD AV SAN JOSE CA 95125 1837 BIRD AV 43924011 2,598.63 2,970.35 168.00 3,138.35
5 1265761 X00030319 2630 BONBON DR SAN JOSE CA 95148 2630 BONBON DR 64919050 461.64 552.34 168.00 720.34
6 1256304 X00027170 1828 PATIO DR SAN JOSE CA 95125 1925 CAMPBELL AV 28822008 110.00 164.36 168.00 332.36
7 1266023 X00030402 4634 CAPITOLA AV SAN JOSE CA 95111 4634 CAPITOLA AV 68407043 1,704.29 1,958.40 168.00 2,126.40
8 1255378 X00026738 1563 CATHAY DR SAN JOSE CA 95122 1563 CATHAY DR 48616016 7,490.15 6,499.99 168.00 6,667.99
9 1264889 X00029964 867 PETER PAN AV SAN JOSE CA 95116 1743 CHAUCER DR 48141032 6,105.54 7,139.92 168.00 7,307.92
10 1256198 X00027146 1218 CLARK ST SAN JOSE CA 95125 1218 CLARK ST 43403069 110.00 167.99 168.00 335.99
11 1261525 X00029147 1123 CLIPPER CT SAN JOSE CA 95132 1123 CLIPPER CT 59116045 812.92 976.66 168.00 1,144.66
12 1263910 X00029515 330 CRES VILLAGE CIR SAN JOSE CA 95134 330 CRESCENT VILLAGE CL 09733122 110.00 158.10 168.00 326.10
13 1261514 X00029138 271 DONDERO WY SAN JOSE CA 95119 271 DONDERO WY 70421006 184.03 244.30 168.00 412.30
14 1257446 X00028035 525 E MISSION ST SAN JOSE CA 95112 525 E MISSION ST 24910021 186.01 257.89 168.00 425.89
15 1257475 X00028055 2009 RAILROAD AV HERCULES CA 94547 1000 E SANTA CLARA ST 46731039 1,356.25 1,697.87 168.00 1,865.87
16 1256395 X00027221 1281 DEWEY ST REDWOOD CITY CA 94061 449 E ST JAMES ST 46703012 350.82 460.69 168.00 628.69
17 1261177 X00028763 308 STOCKTON AV SAN JOSE CA 95126 0 EVERDALE DR 67303061 1,002.56 1,229.58 168.00 1,397.58
18 1261526 X00029153 1888 FLICKINGER AV SAN JOSE CA 95131 1888 FLICKINGER AV 24403010 4,107.74 4,807.32 168.00 4,975.32
19 1266231 X00030561 PO BOX 130940 CARLSBAD CA 92013 2400 FOREST AV 27443083 3,515.70 4,008.01 168.00 4,176.01
20 1257309 X00027937 1409 CARRICKFERGUS CT DURHAM NC 27713 1551 GARVEY PL 58926062 110.00 164.36 168.00 332.36
21 1265680 X00030249 3896 ROSEWOOD DR AMELIA OH 45102 1560 GRAND BL 01506176 237.87 306.99 168.00 474.99
22 1260239 X00028538 4600 HAMPTON FALLS PL SAN JOSE CA 95136 4600 HAMPTON FALLS PL 45818022 2,496.29 3,018.30 168.00 3,186.30
23 1259895 X00028370 189 HOBSON ST SAN JOSE CA 95110 189 HOBSON ST 25917089 1,559.77 1,896.82 168.00 2,064.82
24 1259718 X00028321 327 HANSON AV SAN JOSE CA 95117 519 JEROME ST 26441090 110.00 160.73 168.00 328.73
25 1245570 X00022376 1228 E BRIDLE TRAIL RD DRAPER UT 84020 1435 KOCH LN 43960005 100.00 150.25 168.00 318.25
26 1253860 X00025776 1028 LANCER DR SAN JOSE CA 95129 1028 LANCER DR 37301061 778.20 1,012.25 168.00 1,180.25
27 1256313 X00027167 1025 PHOENIX CT MILPITAS CA 95035 2330 LANNING WY 25448010 1,334.00 1,670.48 168.00 1,838.48
28 1255246 X00026645 578 WASHINGTON BL 833 MARINA DEL REY CA 90292 2533 LOGSDEN WY 48643047 130.02 193.28 168.00 361.28
29 1259717 X00028322 5510 MOREHOUSE DR STE 200 SAN DIEGO CA 92121 3201 LOMA VERDE DR 30501003 110.00 160.73 168.00 328.73
30 1265679 X00030247 229 ELMWOOD CT LOS GATOS CA 95032 1399 LUNING DR 56929094 158.58 214.67 168.00 382.67
31 1261510 X00029152 2602 GIMELLI WY SAN JOSE CA 95133 1999 MARCROSS DR 24520024 1,132.08 1,423.02 168.00 1,591.02
32 1265070 X00029991 964 SAINT JOSEPH AV LOS ALTOS CA 94024 5068 MCCOY AV 40337013 5,395.47 6,313.02 168.00 6,481.02
33 1219982 X00015162 1940 MESSINA DR SAN JOSE CA 95132 1940 MESSINA DR 58605002 100.00 150.85 168.00 318.85
34 1257169 X00027761 1903 LIMEWOOD DR SAN JOSE CA 95132 2727 MONTECITO VISTA WY 45637008 939.92 1,185.59 168.00 1,353.59
35 1265691 X00030259 1417 MT WHITNEY DR SAN JOSE CA 95127 1417 MT WHITNEY DR 64715003 1,019.80 1,217.55 168.00 1,385.55
36 1265696 X00030257 1422 MT WHITNEY DR SAN JOSE CA 95127 1422 MT WHITNEY DR 64716041 574.75 699.31 168.00 867.31
37 1254263 X00026151 230 N 11TH ST SAN JOSE CA 95112 230 N 11TH ST 46703072 110.00 167.99 168.00 335.99
38 1254100 X00026033 444 N 12TH ST SAN JOSE CA 95112 444 N 12TH ST 24953043 110.00 167.99 168.00 335.99
39 1254103 X00026030 125 N 33RD ST SAN JOSE CA 95116 125 N 33RD ST 48101147 145.43 212.75 168.00 380.75
40 1266167 X00030521 1650 ZANKER RD UNIT 220 SAN JOSE CA 95112 1305 N 4TH ST 23505009 110.00 154.47 168.00 322.47
41 1253687 X00025641 787 N BAYSHORE WEST SAN JOSE CA 95112 787 N BAYSHORE RD 24920017 2,154.67 2,822.55 168.00 2,990.55 42 1257188 X00027773 1191 PALM ST SAN JOSE CA 95110 1191 PALM ST 43405077 110.00 164.36 168.00 332.36
43 1266262 X00030591 393 NOTTINGHAM WY CAMPBELL CA 95008 1560 PARK AV 26119052 8,289.61 9,409.70 168.00 9,577.70
44 1255259 X00026675 3272 PLACIDO CT SAN JOSE CA 95135 3272 PLACIDO CT 66066051 1,510.92 1,938.05 168.00 2,106.05
45 1255261 X00026664 1363 CUTFORTH CT SAN JOSE CA 95132 1526 PRIMM AV 48605011 274.62 375.97 168.00 543.97
46 1255390 X00026762 1559 PRINCETON DR SAN JOSE CA 95118 1559 PRINCETON DR 56731013 1,871.10 2,393.16 168.00 2,561.16
City of San José - Finance Department
Report from the Director of Finance - Sidewalk Repair Costs as of April 16, 2026 Council Meeting: June 2, 2026
Attachment
Count Invoice Citation Ma iling Address City, State, Zip Code Violation Address APN Original Balance Current Balance Lien Fee Total Balance City of San José - Finance Department
Report from the Director of Finance - Sidewalk Repair Costs as of April 16, 2026 Council Meeting: June 2, 2026
47 1256109 X00027072 68 MUIR AV SANTA CLARA CA 95051 2761 RONCO DR 59102023 4,141.79 5,125.48 168.00 5,293.48 48 1256626 X00027364 25 EAST HEDDING ST SAN JOSE CA 95112 1731 ROSS CL 41901030 83.65 131.92 168.00 299.92 49 1254492 X00026256 671 WASHINGTON ST SAN JOSE CA 95112 475 S 14TH ST 46750009 972.52 1,257.78 168.00 1,425.78 50 1264870 X00029941 117 S 20TH ST SAN JOSE CA 95116 117 S 20TH ST 46738095 3,347.30 3,927.94 168.00 4,095.94 51 1257085 X00027717 590 S 5TH ST SAN JOSE CA 95112 590 S 5TH ST 47228013 6,407.10 7,912.97 168.00 8,080.97 52 1266035 X00030429 1686 E SAN ANTONIO ST SAN JOSEC CA 95116 1119 S 7TH ST 47702033 1,000.80 1,062.41 168.00 1,230.41 53 1257166 X00027751 10931 MAXINE AV CUPERTINO CA 95014 1055 S 9TH ST 47213056 110.00 164.36 168.00 332.36 54 1255347 X00026716 PO BOX 360007 MILPITAS CA 95036 1821 S KING RD 49119072 642.29 840.54 168.00 1,008.54 55 1266033 X00030425 254 SANTA ROSA DR SAN JOSE CA 95111 254 SANTA ROSA DR 49410107 6,932.73 7,874.40 168.00 8,042.40 56 1265760 X00030312 1956 EDGEVIEW DR SAN JOSE CA 95122 3304 SENTER RD 49421108 2,339.28 2,676.89 168.00 2,844.89 57 1257473 X00028047 6466 CENTURY DR SAN JOSE CA 95129 870 STATE ST 26436086 2,007.49 2,499.22 168.00 2,667.22 58 1255238 X00026641 1665 N FANCHER AV FRESNO CA 93737 979 STORY RD 47247028 12,614.95 15,968.03 168.00 16,136.03 59 1265737 X00030301 1089 SUMMERAIN CT SAN JOSE CA 95122 1089 SUMMERAIN CT 47769301 638.16 773.14 168.00 941.14 60 1264199 X00029565 2129 SUNNY VISTA DR SAN JOSE CA 95128 2129 SUNNY VISTA DR 27430073 200.13 263.05 168.00 431.05 61 1266095 X00030458 3600 E LAKE ST MINNEAPOLIS MN 55406 2875 THE VILLAGES PY 66502015 2,339.34 2,676.97 168.00 2,844.97 62 1253769 X00025686 2482 TWYLA CT CAMPBELL CA 95008 2482 TWYLA CT 40417056 1,501.80 1,976.09 168.00 2,144.09 63 1261556 X00029169 6835 VIA DEL ORO SAN JOSE CA 95119 6835 VIA DEL ORO 70602030 130.02 181.41 168.00 349.41 64 1246150 X00022714 7101 VIA PACIFICA SAN JOSE CA 95139 7101 VIA PACIFICA 70635015 1,410.76 1,713.40 168.00 1,881.40 65 1256101 X00027064 2524 PEBBLE BEACH LOOP LAFAYETTE CA 94549 175 W CAPITOL EX 46218003 110.00 167.99 168.00 335.99 66 1265212 X00030048 1547 W HEDDING ST SAN JOSE CA 95126 1547 W HEDDING ST 27406101 2,269.46 2,672.78 168.00 2,840.78 66 ACCOUNTS 116,786.27$ 138,431.93 $ 11,088.00 $ 149,519.93 $