Ventura County Municipal Code Ch. 7 Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks

The Director may exercise all powers conferred on the Superintendent of Streets by Streets and Highways Code section 5610 et seq.

(Ord. No. 4540, §§ I, II, 3-19-2019)

The maintenance and repair of sidewalks and the determination and collection of assessments for the cost and expenses of said maintenance and repair may be done in accordance with this Section and the procedure provided in Streets and Highways Code section 5610 et seq.

(a) 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)

Any person required by Section 12701 to maintain and repair the sidewalk area owes a duty to members of the public to keep and maintain the sidewalk area in a safe and non-dangerous condition. If, as a result of the failure of any person to maintain the sidewalk area in a safe and non-dangerous condition as required by Section 12701, any person suffers injury or damages to person or property, the owner is liable to such person for the resulting damages or injury.

(Ord. No. 4540, §§ I, II, 3-19-2019)