Lakewood, CA Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty holder
- Abutting lot owner (Sts & Hwys Code §5610)
- Repair notice
- Superintendent of Streets can order repair (§5611)
- City self-help
- City repairs and bills owner if ignored (§5615)
- Cost dispute
- Owner may protest at Council hearing (§5618)
- Local cross-reference
- Mun. Code §7132 cites §5610 for cleanliness
Summary
There is no snow ordinance in Lakewood: California's Streets and Highways Code Section 5610 governs sidewalk upkeep instead, making the owner of each abutting lot responsible for keeping the sidewalk safe and unobstructed. Lakewood's own Municipal Code Section 7132 cross-references that exact state statute in requiring owners to keep sidewalks clean.
The owners of lots or portions of lots fronting on any portion of a public street or place when that street or place is improved or if and when the area between the property line of the adjacent property and the street line is maintained as a park or parking strip, shall maintain any sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property and maintain it in a condition which will not interfere with the public convenience in the use of those works or areas save and except as to those conditions created or maintained in, upon, along, or in connection with such sidewalk by any person other than the owner, under and by virtue of any permit or right granted to him by law or by the city authorities in charge thereof, and such persons shall be under a like duty in relation thereto.
Full Breakdown
Section 5610 of the Streets and Highways Code, part of the 1911 Improvement Act, states that owners of lots fronting an improved public street "shall maintain any sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property" and will not interfere with public convenience, except for conditions created by someone else under a permit, who then bears the same duty. The chapter sets out a full enforcement procedure: Section 5611 lets the Superintendent of Streets notify an owner to repair a sidewalk that is out of repair and endangers persons or property; Sections 5612 through 5614 govern how that notice is served, by personal delivery or postal card, and require it to specify exactly what work is needed and the time allowed.
Section 5615 lets the Superintendent repair the sidewalk directly if the owner does not proceed with due diligence, and separately lets an owner request the Superintendent repair additional frontage at the owner's own cost. Sections 5616 and 5617 require the Superintendent to report the completed work and its cost, and Section 5618 gives every assessed owner a hearing before the City Council, which hears protests, may revise the report, and then confirms it, with its decision on any objection final and conclusive. "
Violations & Fines
If an owner does not repair a dangerous or obstructed sidewalk after the Superintendent of Streets' written notice under Section 5611, the City repairs it directly under Section 5615 and assesses the cost against the property. The property owner is entitled to protest that assessed cost at a City Council hearing under Section 5618 before it is confirmed as final, but once confirmed, the decision on any objection is conclusive and the assessment stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the City or the property owner responsible for sidewalk repair in Lakewood?
What happens if I ignore a City notice to repair my sidewalk?
Can I dispute the cost the City charges me for sidewalk repair?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
California rules heatmap·Compare Lakewood to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Snow & Sidewalk Clearing in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle snow & sidewalk clearing.