Brentwood, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

010(A) states the city council's finding that the section's purpose is to impose on property owners "the affirmative duty to repair and maintain the sidewalk that fronts their property," using the definition of "sidewalk" in Streets and Highways Code Section 5600, which reaches beyond the walking surface to include the parking strip, curb, retaining walls, and driveway approaches. The section expressly affirms the standard of care set by state law under Streets and Highways Code Section 5610. Subsection (B) makes the owner of the adjacent parcel, between the property line and the streetline, responsible for both performing and paying for the repair and maintenance, with one carve-out: damage caused solely by the encroachment of trees that the city planted or directed to be planted.

Subsection (C) layers on a duty of care owed to the public and the city to keep the sidewalk in a safe condition, and Subsection (D) states plainly that failing to meet the (B) or (C) duties is negligence, exposing the owner to liability to any member of the public injured as a result, as well as to the city itself. If the owner is not the person in possession of the property, Subsection (E) extends the same duties to whoever is in possession. Subsection (F) shields the city from liability for injuries caused by the owner's or possessor's own negligence.