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

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Norman, Oklahoma, 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

Anything Norman's building code treats as an encroachment eight feet or higher over public right-of-way, including marquees, cannot be built on the strength of a building permit alone. It needs a separate consent-to-encroach approval voted on by the City Council before construction can proceed.

Key details: Threshold: Encroachments 8 feet or more above grade. Approving body: Norman City Council, consent to encroach. Marquees: Always require Council consent, IBC §3106.1. Exempted: Awnings and canopies handled separately. Pedestrian protection permit: Dept. of Public Works, per Engineering Criteria §1010.1(B).

Constructing a marquee or an elevated encroachment without the required City Council consent-to-encroach approval is a violation of the building code enforced under NCC 6-108, punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment as set by the City's penalty and fine schedule, with each day the unapproved structure remains counted as a separate offense. A property owner may appeal a Building Official's determination on an encroachment to the Board of Appeals under NCC 2-314, per NCC 6-107.

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

Obstruction Rules

Norman prohibits blocking, encumbering or otherwise obstructing the free use of any public sidewalk, street, alley, road or building entrance under NCC 24-604. It is illegal to leave or place any article or structure in the way, or to personally impede passage after a police officer asks a person to move on. A City permit can authorize an otherwise-prohibited obstruction.

Key details: Governing section: NCC 24-604. Covers: Sidewalks, streets, alleys, building entrances. Exception: Express City permit for the obstruction. Max penalty: Up to $750 and/or 60 days jail.

A conviction under NCC 24-604 is punished under the chapter's general penalty and fine schedule at NCC 24-104, up to $750.00 and/or up to 60 days in jail as set by the citywide default in NCC 1-114, since the sidewalk obstruction section carries no separate listed fine. Refusing a police officer's order to move on is charged the same way as leaving an obstructing object in place.

The Bottom Line

Norman'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 Norman is broadly strict or permissive.

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