Tuesday, January 14, 2020 - NEWS RELEASE

San Diego – To spur community investment and make neighborhoods more walkable, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer today announced that beginning this spring the City of San Diego will offer its first fee holiday for sidewalk repairs with participating homeowners expected to save as much as $2,000.

“San Diegans take pride in their community, and we want to make it easy as possible for residents to partner with the City to beautify their neighborhoods,” Mayor Faulconer said. “By waiving fees for sidewalk repairs, we’re removing one of the biggest barriers for residents who want to make those investments and spur repairs that will help improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

The City’s more than 5,000 miles of public sidewalks play a critical role in the region’s mobility network. While the City is responsible for the maintenance of sidewalk damage caused by vehicle accidents, water main breaks, grade subsidence and trees within the right-of-way, homeowners are responsible for the normal wear and tear of the sidewalk under state law.

“I applaud Mayor Faulconer's decision to enact a sidewalk repair permit fee holiday,” said Councilman Mark Kersey, Chair of the Council's Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “Anyone willing to invest in the safety and walkability of our neighborhoods should be welcomed as a partner in rebuilding San Diego.”

The City already offers a 50/50 cost sharing program to residents looking to support the City’s mission and prioritize the safety and effectiveness of the sidewalk network. This program typically addresses approximately 50 sidewalk locations annually. Although permit fees vary per location, the average permit can be thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for property owners.

With today’s action, an estimated average of over $2,000 in permit fees will be saved on each standard private sidewalk project, allowing the City and residents to partner in reducing the overall trip and fall hazards while relieving both the City and private property owners alike from increased liability. The sidewalk repair permit fee holiday will remain in place through calendar year 2020.

Under Mayor Faulconer’s leadership, the City has championed neighborhood improvements with more than 50 percent of all new major General Fund revenue dedicated toward infrastructure and a record high infrastructure investment in the current fiscal year. Highlights include 14 new and improved fire stations, over 50 new or improved parks in various stages of construction, and a record pace of road repair that will result in fixing half the City’s street network by the end of this year.