Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Contra Costa County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Contra Costa County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Sidewalk Repair

Owners of property abutting a public sidewalk in unincorporated Contra Costa County, not the county, carry the legal duty to keep that sidewalk safe. If the sidewalk falls into disrepair and someone is hurt, the abutting or "adjacent" owner is personally liable for the injury.

Contra Costa County Sidewalk Repair Duty

Some Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance Code §§ 1016-2.004, 1016-2.006

1016-2.004 - Duty to maintain owed to public. An adjacent owner owes a duty to members of the public to maintain the sidewalk abutting the adjacent owner's property in a condition that does not endanger the public. ... 1016-2.006 - Adjacent owner's liability. If an adjacent owner's failure to maintain the sidewalk abutting the property results in a condition that is a danger to the public, and ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Obstruction Rules

Property owners in unincorporated Contra Costa County must keep the sidewalk in front of their lot clear of weeds, rubbish, dirt, rocks, and debris that block pedestrians. If they don't, the Director of Public Works can step in and abate the obstruction using the county's nuisance abatement process.

Contra Costa County Sidewalk Obstruction Rule

Some Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance Code § 1016-2.010

1016-2.010 - Removal of obstructions. (a)An adjacent owner shall keep the sidewalk abutting the adjacent owner's property free and clear of all weeds, rubbish, dirt, rocks, debris, or any other obstruction that interferes with the free passage of pedestrians.(b)The director of public works may abate any sidewalk obstruction pursuant to Article 14-6.4 or any other remedy allowed by law.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Encroachment Permits

In unincorporated Contra Costa County, nobody may build, plant, dig, or place anything in a public right-of-way, including a sidewalk, without a written encroachment permit from the Public Works Director. Unpermitted work is an infraction and can be ordered removed at the owner's expense.

Contra Costa: Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit

Significant Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance Code § 1002-2.008

No person, firm, corporation, or association, without first obtaining a written permit, shall:(1)Encroach or make any encroachment within, on, over, or under the limits of any right-of-way;(2)Make any alteration within, on, over, or under right-of-way;(3)Construct, put on, maintain, or leave on a right-of-way any obstruction or impediment;(4)Cut, or trim trees or set a fire on a right-of-way;(5...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗