02 - Sidewalks/Curb & Gutter/Curb Drains Construction or Replacement

Revised on 05-01-2026

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As of December 2016, the City has a rebate program for residents that can help pay for a portion of the costs to repair a sidewalk. This program can be found under sidewalks.lacity.gov.

The following is the BOE vetting process that will take place once a completed A-Permit application is received. Instructions on how to complete the on-line A-Permit application can be found in this manual under Construction "A" Permits, Technical Procedures, 01 - Permit Processing Procedures for Construction A-Permits.

Note: Any proposed work in the right-of-way that will alter the established flowline of a gutter or the existing grade of a sidewalk or street, will require a B-Permit in order to construct the work.

  1. Determine reason for new or modified sidewalk. Determine if the sidewalk is to be replaced or is new. This determines how the permit will be issued as well as the cost of the permit. If the customer has selected the wrong permit reason, BOE staff should make the correction.
    1. BOE staff will make a note of the correction in the "Comments" section to the Applicant
    2. If the Applicant is required to widen the sidewalk and is required or elects to replace the entire sidewalk, BOE staff can charge the new portion of the sidewalk as new construction and the original sidewalk as a replacement
    3. Sidewalk work mandated by a building permit or other similar requirements is not eligible for the Sidewalk Repair Rebate Program
  2. Review NavigateLA to confirm the following:
    1. Confirm the request matches the existing conditions by looking at aerial photos
    2. If necessary, review available as-built plans, to confirm existing conditions
    3. Review MapNotes for the following:
      1. Highway Dedication Investigation has been completed
      2. Planning Case conditions
      3. MapNotes that prevent the A-Permit from being issued
      4. If necessary, contact the appropriate District Office for assistance
    4. Using the measuring tool, measure the limits of the proposed work
  3. Review any photographs and sketches from the Applicant to determine existing conditions 
  4. Review Google Earth’s street view to determine the most current conditions
    1. Examine available photographs
  5. Provide comments or request additional information from the Applicant via the online application system under the "Permit Approval" tab in the “Bureau of Engineering Comments to be Shown and Emailed to Customer” comment box (no comments/information may be required). Typical comments/requests for information could include:
    1. Discrepancies from the standard plans
      1. Standard Plan S-441-1
      2. Standard Plan S-503-2
      3. Standard Plan S-442-5
      4. Deviation from standard plans may require the Applicant to obtain an R-Permit for Non-Standard Sidewalks and Driveway Aprons
    2. Sizes of pipes being installed through the curb (reference the Standard Plans as well as BOE Standard Specifications Quick Reference Guide)
      1. A drainpipe shall have a minimum of 2-inch clearance from the top of the curb
    3. Applicant should provide a copy of LADBS approved plans to determine driveway location and legal parking space requirements.
  6. Within the "Permit Approval" tab, in the “Bureau of Engineering Comments” box write a descriptive comment of the scope of work to be done. Typical remarks could include:
    1. Replacement of broken sidewalk from tree root intrusion for (insert the property type). Applicant should contact the Urban Forestry Division of the Bureau of Street Services prior to any street tree removal or root trimming. 
    2. Any non-standard elements should be noted
    3. If the project qualifies for the Sidewalk Rebate Program, that department will make a note in this box (“This permit is issued under the Sidewalk Repair Rebate program. SR No: #-#########”)
    4. Installation of new curb drains for (insert the property type)
    5. Significant dimensions to consider and obtain from the Applicant include, but is not limited to (any non standard elements should be noted):
      1. Width of sidewalk
      2. Width of parkway
      3. Curb height
      4. Width of gutter

Note: Property owners within the City of Los Angeles with sidewalks that are not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements are eligible to participate in the City's Sidewalk Rebate Program. The City's Sidewalk Rebate Program re-opened their application on October 1, 2019 and will accept new applications for a limited time, based on available funding. This program can be found under https://sidewalks.lacity.gov/rebates. The Sidewalk Repair Rebate Program is for voluntary sidewalk repairs - any sidewalk work mandated by a building permit or other similar requirements is not eligible for the rebate.