Fees for Sidewalks May Be Waived for Residents

Outraged that residents who make improvements to city sidewalks at their own expense had to pay for permits to do the work, Councilman Tony Cardenas on Thursday announced a pilot program that will waive the fees for six months. The Board of Public Works approved the initiative.

Residents have been charged $160 for a permit, plus 35 cents per square foot to fix crumbling sidewalks in front of their homes. Cardenas’ office said he also wants to waive fees for homeowners who want to install sidewalks where none now exist.