In new assistance program, Turlock to share costs of sidewalk repairs with owners
To improve affordability and accessibility, Turlock now will assist residents with repairing their damaged sidewalks.
At its meeting Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved the Sidewalk Repair Assistance Program, designed to make it easier and more affordable for property owners to fix sidewalks, improving community safety and walkability.
Under the California Streets and Highways Code, property owners have been responsible for keeping sidewalks adjacent to their property safe since 1941 — a requirement echoed in the Turlock Municipal Code. This policy reflects the idea that property owners are best positioned to identify and address damage, and that it would be expensive for the city to repair all sidewalks each year.
Residents, however, have often faced obstacles such as repair costs and contractor availability, which can delay repairs and increase hazards and liability risks.
The new program addresses these barriers by having the city manage repairs and share the costs with property owners, billing them only for their portion.
Under the standard assistance option, the city will hire a contractor to complete sidewalk repairs, ranging from minor grinding to full panel replacement, and cover 55% of eligible costs, up to $1,250. A second option offers support for income-qualified property owners, covering up to 85% of repair costs, up to $2,500.
“Safe, smooth sidewalks are essential for children walking to school, seniors staying active, and residents and visitors with mobility challenges getting where they need to go,” Municipal Services Director Christopher Fisher said. “This program is about partnering with property owners so we can fix problems faster and make our neighborhoods more walkable for everyone.”
To be eligible for the program, you must be the legal owner of a property in Turlock and be in good standing, meaning no unpaid citations or penalties on the property. The program also covers only dangerous sidewalk defects as determined by the city engineer, such as significant trip hazards, large cracks and lifted panels. It will not cover minor cosmetic damage or driveway repairs.
The program also provides expanded support to streamline the encroachment permit process for residents who wish to carry out sidewalk repairs themselves. The minimum fee for an encroachment permit is $150, for up to $1,000 worth of repairs, according to the city website. Permit fees increase based on the valuation of improvements. Property owners may be eligible for a no-cost or reduced-cost permit.
The City Council also approved increasing its commitment to offset encroachment permit fees from $25,000 to $50,000 in total. However, property owners will not be reimbursed for those repair costs.
“It is cheaper and faster for property owners to deal with this directly, but it’s in the public good for all these public right-of-ways to be fixed,” Councilmember Cassandra Abram said during the meeting.
The council also approved updates to its municipal code that clarify procedures for notifying property owners, reinforce shared responsibility for sidewalk maintenance, ensure repairs are completed before a property changes ownership and outline the steps the city may take if repairs are not made on time.
The ordinance further states that if a sidewalk adjacent to a property causes injury or leads to a lawsuit, the property owner must cover the city’s legal costs and any damages, unless the city caused the issue.
The program is funded with $400,000 from Measure L and operates on a first-come basis. It will be administered by the city manager. Residents can learn more about the Sidewalk Repair Assistance Program by visiting www.cityofturlock.org or calling Municipal Services at 209-668-5520.
