Fort Worth's Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Fort Worth, Texas, there are 2 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.

Encroachment Permits

Fort Worth requires an Encroachment Permit before anyone occupies city street, alley or sidewalk space, whether for a construction fence or a permanent building projection. Temporary uses need a Building Official permit backed by liability insurance; permanent encroachments need a Development Services agreement, with the largest 'Tier III' projects going to City Council. Chapter 32 of the Building Administrative Code, adopted at City Code § 7-1, sets the tiers, fees and setbacks.

Key details: Permit authority: Building Official (temporary); Development Services (permanent). Insurance: Public liability insurance required, 10-day cancellation notice. Fee basis: Area occupied and length of use. Council approval: Required for Tier III Major Encroachments. Street clearance: Max 2 of 4 lanes blocked without Council OK.

Encroaching without an executed agreement and permit is a misdemeanor under City Code § 7-44: fines run up to $2,000 for violations touching fire safety or public health, and up to $500 for other Chapter 32 violations, with each day of continued encroachment charged as a separate offense. The Building Official can also order removal of the encroachment and, for permanent work, pursue legal action to compel abatement.

Sidewalk Repair

Fort Worth City Code Section 30-1 declares a defective, unsafe or hazardous sidewalk a nuisance and puts the repair duty on the abutting property owner, agent or tenant, giving 30 days from written notice before failure to repair becomes a misdemeanor.

Key details: Repair duty: abutting owner, agent, or tenant. Notice period: 30 days from director's notice. New-install trigger: construction ≥ 50% of assessed value. Appeal path: public works director, then city manager. Last amended: Ord. 23658-05-2019, eff. 5-7-2019.

Ignoring a 30-day repair notice from the director of public works for a defective, unsafe or hazardous sidewalk is a misdemeanor under Section 30-1(b). The owner, agent or tenant can appeal the repair order first to the transportation and public works director, then to the city manager, before facing enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Fort Worth'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 Fort Worth is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Fort Worth 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.