Property owners would be required to maintain sidewalks in safe condition and complete repairs upon notice. Designed by Freepik, www.freepik.com

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Deputy City Clerk Carmen Santana presented proposed updates to Gridley’s sidewalk and tree ordinances during a special City Council workshop on Oct. 21, outlining long-overdue changes aimed at aligning local policy with California law.

The sidewalk ordinance, still in draft form, would replace the city’s legacy cost-sharing program with new rules assigning full responsibility for installation, upkeep and liability to adjacent property owners. The existing program, created when the city had more financial flexibility, covered the first $200 of a repair and left the rest to be split equally between the city and the property owner.

“Most cities have moved away from that 50/50 program,” Santana told the council.

Under the new ordinance, Public Works would be authorized to issue notices, grant extensions and oversee repairs. Property owners would be required to maintain sidewalks in safe condition and complete repairs upon notice.

Sidewalk installation would also be required when a property undergoes major improvements, such as new construction or accessibility upgrades. The ordinance includes options for deferral agreements or in-lieu fees, allowing flexibility in cases where immediate installation isn’t feasible.

Gridley officials said the city is also considering hardship accommodations, including payment plans and application-based review. A public education campaign is planned to help residents understand the new requirements, and a frequently asked questions page will be added to the city’s website.

City Administrator Elisa Arteaga said staff had begun surveying sidewalks throughout the city to identify tripping hazards and prioritize areas in need of urgent repair. 

“Those are the ones we are going to address first,” Arteaga said.

The proposed changes were recommended during recent staff and risk management meetings, where officials reviewed how other cities handle liability and enforcement of city sidewalks and trees. Santana said the goal is to clarify responsibilities, reduce confusion, and reduce the city’s liability. 

The tree ordinance, also presented at the workshop, would clarify that property owners are responsible for maintaining street trees in front of their homes. The city would no longer remove healthy trees at a homeowner’s request, and any hazardous conditions would trigger notice and enforcement procedures.

The ordinance outlines approved plantings for park strips, prohibits unsafe landscaping, and establishes a process for trimming, removal and cost recovery. Permits and insurance would be required for tree removal, and city intervention would be limited to safety-related cases.

Both ordinances will come before the City Council for formal consideration at an upcoming regular meeting.