Goodyear's Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Goodyear, Arizona, 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.

Obstruction Rules

Goodyear's public nuisance ordinance, City Code Section 11-1-13(B), makes it unlawful to unlawfully obstruct the free passage of any public sidewalk, street, alley, or park. Blocking pedestrian passage or dumping items in the right-of-way is a class 1 misdemeanor, and the City can cite, remove the obstruction, and bill the responsible party.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Section 11-1-13(B), (C)(7). Offense level: Class 1 misdemeanor. Abatement window: Max 14 days after citation. Unpaid bill result: Property lien after 14 days. Appeal path: To City Council, decision final.

A violation of Section 11-1-13 is a class 1 misdemeanor, and any police officer, code enforcement officer, or sanitation official who observes the obstruction may issue a citation directly. If the responsible party does not clear the sidewalk or right-of-way within the notice period, the City can remove the obstruction, bill the owner for the cost, and record a lien if the bill goes unpaid within 14 days. Prior liens do not bar additional ones for repeat violations.

Encroachment Permits

Attaching a banner or sign to a streetlight, traffic signal, or utility pole in Goodyear's right-of-way requires an encroachment permit from both the City Manager and the pole's owner under City Code Section 11-1-14. Doing it without a permit is a code violation subject to the General Code's standard penalty article.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Section 11-1-14. Permit required from: City Manager and pole owner. Covered structures: Streetlight, signal, utility poles. Penalty reference: Article 1-8 General Code penalty.

Placing a banner or sign on a streetlight, traffic signal, or utility pole without the required encroachment permit is a violation subject to the penalties set out in Article 1-8 of the General Code, referenced directly beneath Section 11-1-14. Each unpermitted installation is a separate offense that a police officer or code enforcement officer can cite.

The Bottom Line

Goodyear'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 Goodyear is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Goodyear's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.