Our Services
Every job starts with the same free inspection. Where it goes next depends on what the inspector finds.
No cost
Free Inspection
Send us the address and a few clear photos and we do a preliminary read on your sidewalk at no charge. A licensed inspector then visits within three business days to confirm it in person. You do not need to be there, and you owe nothing unless the sidewalk passes.
Get StartedWhy Oakland Sidewalk Certs
Getting a sidewalk certified in Oakland has usually meant chasing contractors, waiting weeks for a bid, and quotes that often run past $10,000. We started Oakland Sidewalk Certs to make that process fast, simple, and painless: one free inspection, a straight answer about where your sidewalk stands, and one price if it passes.
Exemption filings
No Sidewalk? You May Be Exempt
If your property doesn't have a sidewalk, we can help you file for exemption. Same result, slightly different process. Fill out the form below and we'll handle the rest.
Get in touchWhy Sidewalk Certification Matters in Oakland
Oakland makes property owners responsible for the sidewalk in front of their property, and in certain situations the City requires proof that it is in safe condition. That proof is a Sidewalk Compliance Certificate, and without it a sale or a major renovation can stall.
When Oakland requires a sidewalk certificate
- Selling or transferring title. The certificate is due before the first close of escrow, so it becomes part of your escrow file.
- Major renovations. Projects valued over $100,000 need a certificate as part of the permit application process.
Some transfers are exempt, including transfers into a trust, between spouses or domestic partners, between co-owners, and during the administration of an estate. If you are not sure whether your sale qualifies, your escrow officer can confirm, or you can call us.
What the City looks for: the 1/4 inch standard
Under Oakland Municipal Code Section 12.04.380, the sidewalk fronting your property has to be kept free of defects. The City treats any crack, depression, or vertical offset of more than 1/4 inch as a defect. That is a very small lip. Tree roots, settling soil, and age can create one without the sidewalk looking badly damaged, which is why it pays to have it inspected before you list or pull permits.
How long a certificate lasts
A Sidewalk Compliance Certificate stays valid for five years from the date it is issued.
Who is responsible for sidewalk repairs
California Streets and Highways Code Section 5610 and the Oakland Municipal Code place sidewalk maintenance on the owner of the adjacent property, not the City.
The simplest way to find out where you stand is a free inspection. Send us the address and a few photos and we will take it from there.
Source: City of Oakland, Sidewalk Certification FAQ, and Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 12.04.