Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Livonia, MI

Livonia maintains 108 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with sidewalk & pedestrian rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Livonia falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Encroachment Permits

Livonia makes it unlawful to occupy any street or sidewalk with construction materials or machinery, or for any other purpose, without first obtaining a permit from the Department of Public Works. The rule sits within the city's broader street ordinance governing all work and encroachments in public rights-of-way.

Key details: Governing section: Livonia Code § 12.04.260. Permitting body: Department of Public Works. Pedestrian space: 6 feet must stay clear. Night lighting: Red lights, 3-15 ft spacing. Cost of removal: Billed to abutting landowner.

Occupying a street or sidewalk without a permit, or failing to meet the pedestrian-passage, barricading, or lighting requirements that come with one, exposes a permittee to a stop-work order under Section 12.04.330, which suspends the permit outright. The city may also remove an unpermitted obstruction and charge the abutting landowner the removal cost as a special assessment under Section 12.04.400.

Obstruction Rules

Livonia bans placing materials, machinery, or other obstructions in a street or on a sidewalk without a permit from the department of public works. If an unauthorized encroachment or obstruction is left in the street, the city can remove it and bill the abutting landowner as a special assessment.

Key details: Permit required: Before occupying street/sidewalk (§12.04.260). Pedestrian clearance: 6 feet minimum during work (§12.04.270). Warning lights: Max 3 ft apart across traffic (§12.04.280). Unpermitted obstruction: City removes, bills owner (§12.04.400). Enforced by: DPW, Inspection, Engineering, Police (§12.04.440).

Occupying a street or sidewalk without the permit required under Section 12.04.260, or letting an unauthorized encroachment remain under Section 12.04.400, exposes the responsible landowner to removal costs billed as a single lot special assessment, collected the same way as other lot assessments under the city's special assessment ordinance. Chapter violations otherwise default to the citywide misdemeanor penalty of up to $500 and 90 days under Section 1.12.010.

Sidewalk Repair

Livonia requires every property owner to keep the sidewalk along their land in good repair, and makes them liable to the city for damages if a pedestrian is hurt because the owner let it fall into disrepair. If an owner refuses to fix a sidewalk after notice, the city can do the work and assess the cost to the property.

Key details: Governing section: Livonia Code § 12.04.360. Who repairs: Owner of abutting land. Injury liability: Owner liable to city for damages. Notice period: 10 days after 2nd published notice. City-performed repair cost: Special assessment plus 10% charge.

An owner who lets a sidewalk fall into disrepair can be held liable to the city for any damages the city pays out to an injured pedestrian under Section 12.04.360. If the city orders repairs by resolution under Section 12.04.340 and the owner does not act within the notice period, the Department of Public Works performs the repair and bills the owner as a special assessment, plus up to a 10 percent service charge, under Section 12.04.350.

The Bottom Line

Livonia'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 Livonia is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Livonia 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.