Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Clovis, CA

If you live in Clovis or are thinking about moving there, sidewalk & pedestrian rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Clovis has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sidewalk & pedestrian rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Encroachment Permits

Clovis requires an encroachment permit from the City Engineer before anyone digs, builds, plants, or stores material within a public right-of-way. Applications take up to 30 working days to decide, permitted work must finish within 90 days, and a security deposit may be required; working without a permit lets the City remove the work at the violator's expense.

Key details: Permit required for: Any right-of-way work (Sec. 7.2.201). Issuing authority: City Engineer. Decision timeline: 30 working days. Completion deadline: 90 days from issuance. Public notice required: 2-5 working days before work.

Working in the right-of-way without a permit lets the City remove, relocate, or abandon the unauthorized work entirely at the responsible party's expense under Section 7.2.217, and the same conduct can be charged as a separate code violation carrying the citywide penalty in Section 1.2.01: up to $1,000 and six months in jail as a misdemeanor, or escalating infraction fines of $100, $200, and $500 for repeat violations within a year.

This is one of the stricter rules in Clovis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Obstruction Rules

Clovis bars storing or placing personal property on a street, sidewalk, or public right-of-way in ways that impede ADA passage, or within 10 feet of a driveway, 5 feet of a building entrance, or 2 feet of a fire hydrant. Posted-sign zones near schools, parks, and shelters extend the ban further under Municipal Code § 5.27.512.

Key details: Governing section: Clovis Muni. Code § 5.27.512. Driveway/loading dock buffer: 10 feet. Building entrance buffer: 5 feet. Fire hydrant buffer: 2 feet. School/day care buffer: 500 feet.

Willfully resisting, delaying, or obstructing a City employee enforcing § 5.27.512, or failing to comply after being asked, is punishable under the administrative citation procedures of Chapter 7 of Title 1, and the section is also independently enforceable as an infraction under Chapter 2 of Title 1. No violation of the posted-signage zones in subsections (c) or (e) can be charged until the Chief of Police has designated the area and the City has posted signage there.

Compared to other cities, Clovis takes a harder line on obstruction rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Sidewalk Repair

Under Clovis Municipal Code Chapter 7.9, the owner of any lot adjacent to a public sidewalk, not the City, must keep that sidewalk area safe and pay for its repair. The Public Utilities Director can issue a written notice to repair a 'defective sidewalk,' and owners who miss the deadline face City-ordered repairs billed back to them as a property lien.

Key details: Governing chapter: Clovis Municipal Code Chapter 7.9. Duty holder: Owner of the abutting lot. Enforcing official: Public Utilities Director. Financing cap: $2,500 via City Revolving Fund. Nonpayment consequence: Assessment lien on the property.

Failure to repair after a notice to repair lets the Director order City forces or a contractor to do the work and bill the owner; unpaid bills become an assessment lien on the property, collectible like other City assessments. Section 7.9.04 separately exposes the owner to civil liability for any injury or property damage caused by a sidewalk left in an unsafe, nondangerous condition.

The Bottom Line

Clovis is tougher than many cities when it comes to sidewalk & pedestrian rules. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Clovis, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Clovis 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.