Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules, Arlington Heights

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Arlington Heights, Illinois, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Obstruction Rules

Arlington Heights Municipal Code Section 20-301 makes it unlawful to cause, create, or maintain any obstruction of a street, roadway, alley, sidewalk, or other public way unless an ordinance specifically authorizes it or the Director of Public Works issues a permit. A companion rule caps sidewalk merchandise displays at a five-foot clear width and a 30-minute time limit.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-301, Obstructions. Sidewalk clearance for merchandise: 5 feet of usable width (§ 20-305). Delivery staging time limit: 30 minutes maximum (§ 20-305). Permit authority: Director of Public Works. Fine range: $5.00-$750.00 per offense (§ 20-117).

Section 20-117 applies the Chapter 20 general penalty to an unpermitted obstruction: a fine of not less than $5.00 nor more than $750.00 for each offense, with a separate offense for every day the obstruction continues. The Village may also physically remove blocking debris or material itself and charge the responsible party the cost of removal under Sections 20-305 and 20-306, in addition to any fine.

Encroachment Permits

Anyone who wants to store building materials, tools or equipment on an Arlington Heights street, parkway or sidewalk during construction needs a street occupation permit from the Director of Public Works under Municipal Code Section 20-110. The permit runs 30 days, costs $25 per day the street stays closed, and requires a cash deposit of $1.00 per front foot with a $200 minimum.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-110, Street Occupation Permit. Permit authority: Director of Public Works. Deposit: $1.00 per front foot, $200 minimum. Daily fee: $25.00 per day street is closed. Permit length: 30 days, renewable until work is done.

Depositing materials or occupying the street without first obtaining the Section 20-110 permit is itself unlawful and falls under the Section 20-117 general penalty for Chapter 20, a fine of $5.00 to $750.00 per offense, charged daily for a continuing violation. Section 20-110 additionally lets the Village remove unpermitted material from the street and bill the offender the reasonable cost of removal, without first offering a chance to cure the violation.

Sidewalk Repair

Arlington Heights, Illinois places the burden of parkway upkeep on the abutting property owner: Section 20-115 requires owners in the Cook County village to maintain the parkway strip, driveway approaches, and the service walks that connect the curb to the public sidewalk and the public sidewalk to the building.

Key details: Who maintains parkway: Property owner (§20-115). Covered areas: Driveway aprons, culverts, service walks to sidewalk. Mowing duty: Owner mows parkway grass/ground cover. Culvert repair: Owner replaces/repairs on failure. Penalty: Up to $750 per offense (§20-701).

Failing to maintain a parkway, driveway apron, or connecting service walk as required by Section 20-115 falls under Chapter 20's general penalty, Section 20-701: a fine of up to $750.00 per offense, with a separate offense deemed committed for each day the violation continues. The Director of Public Works oversees compliance and any repair work performed in the right-of-way, whether by the Village or the owner, under Section 20-103.

The Bottom Line

Arlington Heights's sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arlington Heights is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Arlington Heights can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.