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

12 Sidewalk and Driveway Construction, makes it unlawful for any owner of a building, lot or premises fronting an improved street where a sidewalk exists to let any part of that sidewalk go out of repair, become defective, or become dangerous to users for any reason. The owner must at all times keep the sidewalk in a condition that will not endanger people or property, will not interfere with public use, and will not obstruct normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic. The section specifically extends this duty to damage caused by tree roots, meaning root heave from a parkway or private tree does not shift responsibility away from the property owner.

The code goes further and creates a civil duty running to the public: the property owner owes a duty to members of the public to keep the sidewalk reasonably safe and can be held liable for negligence to anyone who suffers damage because the owner failed that duty, in whole or in part. 130 separately adopts California Streets and Highways Code §§ 5600-5630 and 5870-5894 as the governing procedure, and defines 'sidewalk' for this chapter the same way the state code does, extending it to driveways and driveway approaches as well. 090.