Ven-Mar Neighborhood Association

Street Re-surfacing and Sidewalks

Some Street Resurfacing Facts

All street resurfacing in the City of Los Angeles is done by the City, i.e. not by contractors. Last year some 260 miles of street were resurfaced, more than in previous years, yet not enough. There are 6500 miles of streets in the City. Residential streets are intended to last for 30 years and major roads for 17 years until resurfacing is required. However, the decision to resurface is based on need. Residents may call the Bureau of Street Services (at 213-473-8410) to request repairs. If a street qualifies for resurfacing the Bureau puts utility providers on notice for a year, to give them the opportunity to dig up the road prior to resurfacing. If a utility cuts newly installed road surface within a year of completion, it has to pay a restoration fee.
Surface restoration is major work, involving removal and replacement of the top layer of the old road. It is not to be confused with giving a road surface a "slurry seal", i.e. a black coating to extend its life. That work only takes a day.
(P.S. The number we were given to call for service, namely 800-966-2489, turns out to be the number of a mortgage company!
The relevant website is http://www.lacity.org/boss/Administration/service.htm)

Sidewalks

A 1911 State law places the responsibilty for the sidewalk along a property on the owner of that property. If there is a hazard, e.g. due to a break and a step caused by tree roots, the City can require the owner to remove the hazard.