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Ventura County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
VCOC § 12701
Responsible party
abutting lot owner
Covers
surface, weeds, tree-root damage
Injury liability
owner liable, per § 12702

Summary

Owners of unincorporated county lots that front or underlie a sidewalk must repair and maintain it themselves and cover all repair costs.

City-specific rules exist: Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Ventura have their own sidewalk repair rules that differ from Ventura County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

The owners of lots or portions of lots adjacent to, fronting on, or underlying any portion of sidewalk including parking strips, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, and persons in possession of such lots by virtue of any permit or right, must repair and maintain such sidewalk and pay the costs and expenses of any repair or maintenance.(b)For the purposes of this Section, maintenance and repair of sidewalks includes, but is not limited to, maintenance and repair of surfaces, including grinding, removal, and replacement of the sidewalk; removal of weeds and debris; supervision and maintenance of signs; tree root pruning and installing root barriers; and trimming of shrubs and ground cover, so that the sidewalk area will remain in a condition that is not dangerous to property or to persons using the sidewalk in a reasonable manner and will be in a condition that will not interfere with the public convenience in the use of the sidewalk.(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5614 of the Streets and Highways Code, the Superintendent of Streets may, in his or her discretion, and for sufficient cause, extend the period within which required maintenance and repair of sidewalk areas must commence by a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the time the notice required by section 5614 is given. (Ord. No. 4540, §§ I, II, 3-19-2019)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).

Full Breakdown

Ventura County Ordinance Code Section 12701 puts sidewalk maintenance on the abutting property owner, not the County: owners of lots fronting, adjacent to, or underlying a sidewalk, parking strip, curb, or gutter must repair and maintain it and pay all related costs, including resurfacing, weed and debris removal, and tree-root mitigation. Section 12702 makes that owner liable to the public for injuries caused by a sidewalk left unsafe.

Violations & Fines

Letting a sidewalk stay dangerous after notice from the Superintendent of Streets exposes the owner to County repair-and-assess action and personal liability for any resulting injury under Section 12702.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who fixes a cracked sidewalk in unincorporated Ventura County?
The owner of the abutting lot, not the County. Section 12701 puts both the repair duty and the cost on the property owner.
Can I be sued if someone trips on my sidewalk?
Yes. Section 12702 makes the owner responsible for maintenance liable for injuries caused by an unsafe sidewalk.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ventura County

All Ventura County rules

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