San Francisco, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

It shall be the duty of the owners of lots or portions of lots immediately adjacent to any portion of a public street, avenue, alley, lane, court, or place to maintain the sidewalks and sidewalk area, including any parking strip, parkway, automobile runway, and curb, fronting or adjacent to their property in good repair and condition. This duty shall include removal of any unpermitted structure, including but not limited to unpermitted public pay telephones installed in the sidewalk adjacent to the property. Any person who suffers injury or property damage as a legal result of the failure of the owner to so maintain the sidewalks and sidewalk areas shall have a cause of action for such injury or property damage against such property owner. The City and County of San Francisco shall have a cause of action for indemnity against such property owner for any damages it may be required to pay as satisfaction of any judgment or settlement of any claim that results from injury to persons or property as a legal result of the failure of the owner to maintain the sidewalks and sidewalk areas in accordance with this subsection (a). Failure of the owner to maintain the sidewalks and sidewalk areas as set forth in this subsection (a) also shall constitute a public nuisance. For the purposes of the Port of San Francisco property within the Pier 70 Special Use District, the definition of the term “owner” as used in Sections 706 through 706.9 is set forth in Section 706.10.