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

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Hendersonville, Tennessee, 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.

Sidewalk Repair

Owners and occupants of property abutting a Hendersonville street must maintain the adjoining right-of-way, including removing snow, debris, and litter from the public sidewalk.

Key details: Duty holder: Owner or occupant of abutting property. Includes: Snow, debris, litter, grass, weeds. Notice period: 5 days actual or mailed notice. Remedy: City corrects, bills property, or cites.

Failing to clear the abutting right-of-way and sidewalk within five days of notice lets the City correct it and assess the cost against the property, or cite the owner to court.

Obstruction Rules

Hendersonville bans using any public street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way to store, sell, or exhibit goods, wares, merchandise, or materials. City Code Enforcement Officers can order a violator to fix the obstruction, and citations follow if the owner ignores the notice.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 16-101. Adopted: Ordinance 1970-13, May 1970. Prohibited acts: Storing, selling, exhibiting goods on right-of-way. Enforcement notice: In person or by mail, § 16-114. Max municipal fine: $50 per violation, § 3-302(1)(a).

A violation is a municipal offense heard in Hendersonville City Court. Under Municipal Code § 3-302(1)(a), which caps municipal fines under the authority of Tennessee Code Annotated § 6-54-308, "municipal fines shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) for each violation of an ordinance of the City of Hendersonville." Court costs of $175 under § 3-302(2)(a) and applicable state litigation taxes under Tennessee Code Annotated § 67-4-601 are added on top of the fine. Because the Enforcement Officer under § 16-114 may first issue a correction notice rather than cite immediately, most obstructions get resolved without going to court once the owner clears the sidewalk or right-of-way.

Encroachment Permits

Anyone digging, tunneling, or cutting a driveway across a curb in a Hendersonville street or sidewalk must first get a Public Works excavation permit, post a deposit, and restore the surface when work is done.

Key details: Base permit fee: $25 for small jobs. Deposit required: $500 cash or surety bond. Resurfacing minimum: 75 ft full roadway width. Repair deadline: 45 days after work. Repeat violators: barred up to 6 months.

Excavating or cutting a curb without a permit is unlawful, and each unpermitted dig or removal location is a separate offense; two or more permit-hour violations bar the holder from new permits for up to six months (§16-213).

The Bottom Line

Hendersonville'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 Hendersonville is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Hendersonville's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.