Furniture and Other Items on the Public Right-of-Way
The Maintenance Division is experiencing more and more nuisance complaints regarding "free furniture" and other items left on sidewalks or planting strips thorughout the City. These abandoned items left on the public right-of-way become a breeding ground for rodents, as well as a health hazard.
If you have ANY furniture or household items you wish to give away, please keep these items on YOUR property and away from the public right-of-way. Household items can be donated to a number of charitible organizations here in the East Bay (Richmond Rescue Mission, Goodwill Industries, etc.) and a drop-off collection trailer operated by Goodwill is located at the City's Recycling Center, 7501 Schmidt Lane. If you witness any dumping, please report it to Police Dispatch at 510-237-3233. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in keeping El Cerrito clean!
Sidewalks
Although City sidewalks are located in the public right-of-way, maintenance and upkeep of the sidewalk is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. California Street and Highway Code Section 5610 requires property owners to "maintain any sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property and maintain it in a condition which will not interfere with the public convenience in the use of those areas..."
The City will repair or replace sidewalks that have been damaged by City street trees and correct any surface displacement that poses a tripping hazard to a pedestrian. Damaged, broken, or deteriorating concrete not caused by City trees must be repaired or replaced by the property owner. A City encroachment permit is required to do this work and sidewalks must conform to City standards.
If you observe a sidewalk that presents a hazardous condition, please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at (510) 559-7033 to report it.
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The five person City Maintenance crew responds to citizens' request for service and minor maintenance tasks.
