Chapter 11.01 — Street Use and Maintenance
Ord. No. 13, March 3, 1919 | Last amended by Ord. 2024-05
§ 11.01.010 Dedication of Streets
All streets, alleys, and public ways shown on any subdivision map approved and recorded pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act shall, upon recordation, be offered for dedication to the public. The City Council shall, by resolution, accept or reject offers of dedication. Streets shall not be deemed public streets of the City until formally accepted by the City Council.
§ 11.01.020 Excavations in Public Rights-of-Way
No person shall make any cut, trench, or excavation in any public street, sidewalk, alley, or other public right-of-way without first obtaining an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department. The permittee shall restore the street surface to its original condition or better, in accordance with the City's Standard Plans and Specifications.
§ 11.01.030 Street Closures
Temporary closure of any public street for construction, special events, filming, or other purposes requires a street closure permit from the Public Works Department. Applications shall be submitted at least fourteen (14) business days in advance. The Traffic Division of the Police Department must approve the traffic control plan prior to permit issuance.
Chapter 11.02 — Sidewalk Construction and Repair
Ord. No. 28, June 1, 1925 | Last amended by Ord. 2023-03
§ 11.02.010 Construction Required
The owners of property abutting public streets shall construct, maintain, and repair sidewalks and curb ramps in front of their properties as required by the City's sidewalk standards. The City may require sidewalk installation as a condition of building permit issuance or subdivision approval.
§ 11.02.020 Maintenance Responsibility
Property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk abutting their property in a safe condition, free of cracks, upheaval, and other hazards. If the City determines that a sidewalk is hazardous, the City shall notify the owner and may order repair. If the owner fails to repair within sixty (60) days, the City may repair the sidewalk and recover its costs through an administrative lien or assessment.
§ 11.02.030 Accessibility Standards
All sidewalks, curb ramps, and pedestrian facilities constructed or reconstructed within the City shall comply with ADA Title II requirements, the California Accessibility Standards (Title 24, Part 2), and the City's ADA Transition Plan.
Chapter 11.03 — Encroachments
Ord. No. 43, February 4, 1930 | Last amended by Ord. 2022-04
§ 11.03.010 Encroachment Permit Required
No person shall erect, place, or maintain any structure, object, or obstruction within a public right-of-way without an encroachment permit issued by the Public Works Director. Encroachments include, but are not limited to: fences and walls; steps or ramps; planters or retaining walls; private utility connections; awnings and canopies; signs; and outdoor dining furniture.
§ 11.03.020 Revocation
Any encroachment permit may be revoked by the Public Works Director upon thirty (30) days written notice if the encroachment conflicts with a public improvement project, becomes a hazard, or violates permit conditions. The permittee shall remove the encroachment at their own expense within the time specified in the revocation notice.
Chapter 11.04 — Underground Utilities
Ord. No. 168, January 5, 1971 | Last amended by Ord. 2020-10
§ 11.04.010 Undergrounding Required
All new utility distribution lines (electric, telephone, cable television, and similar services) installed within the City shall be placed underground. The undergrounding requirement shall apply to all new subdivisions, new developments, and major redevelopment projects as defined in the Development Code.
§ 11.04.020 Underground Utility Districts
The City Council may establish Underground Utility Districts for the conversion of existing overhead utilities to underground facilities pursuant to Public Utilities Code § 767.5 and PG&E Rule 20 or its successor. Property owners within such districts shall bear their proportionate share of conversion costs as determined by the City Council.