The city of Los Angeles has increased the amount residential and commercial property owners can receive in rebates through the city’s “Safe Sidewalks LA” program.

The cap, originally $2,000 for homeowners and $4,000 for commercial property owners, has been raised to $10,000 – an amount city leaders hope will encourage more residents to participate in the program.

Property owners must apply to participate in the program and pay for their own repairs. Once certified by the city that the repairs are ADA-compliant, property owners can receive up to $10,000.

“The Rebate Program is an important part of the city’s commitment to make sidewalks accessible to all Angelenos,” said Los Angeles city engineer Gary Lee Moore. “By creating a partnership with property owners, the city is helping to increase mobility throughout our city and make communities more livable for everyone.”

“Safe Sidewalks LA” is a 30-year, $1.4 billion commitment to make all sidewalks in Los Angeles accessible. The Bureau of Engineering is the lead department for the program.

“The new cap should entice and empower more property owners to partner with the city, and the result will be more sidewalks repaired quicker, less liability for the city and property owners and happier constituents,” said Councilman Bob Blumenfield, 3rd District, the new chair of the Public Works Committee.

The increase to the rebate cap was made after the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering issued a survey to prospective applicants. Feedback indicated that more property owners would proceed with repairs if the rebate was increased.

“Sidewalks are a vital element of the transportation system for all Angelenos and are crucial to the inter-connectivity of Los Angeles,” said Councilman Joe Buscaino, 15th District, vice chair of the Public Works Committee. “The increased rebate will provide residents and businesses with an immediate ‘self-help’ solution while the city continues the formidable challenge of identifying, prioritizing and repairing every broken sidewalk in the city over the next 30 years.”

Since the program launched at the end of last year, more than 1,100 applications have been submitted for the rebates.

In addition to the rebate program, residents and property owners can report sidewalks in need of repair through the Access Request Program. The program is for people with a disability who wish to report physical barriers such as broken sidewalks, broken or missing curb ramps or other barriers in the public right of way. The public can report any sidewalk in need of repair by calling 311 or visiting sidewalks.lacity.org.