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

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Parma, Ohio, 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

Parma places the duty to repair sidewalks, curbs and gutters abutting a property squarely on the owner or occupant of that property. Section 1707.14(f) makes it a code violation to let sidewalks, curbs or gutters go without repair, or to leave them covered in snow, ice or any other nuisance.

Key details: Duty holder: Owner or occupant of abutting land. Hazard threshold: Sidewalk crack/level change over 1 inch. Repair material: Concrete only, no patching allowed. Snow/ice duty: Must be cleared, not just repaired. Penalty: Misdemeanor, 4th degree first offense.

Violating the repair duty in Section 1707.14(f), or the sidewalk-condition standards in Section 1707.14(a) and (b), is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for a first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree for any repeat offense under Section 1705.99(b), with each day the condition continues counted as a separate offense. If an owner ignores a Council repair order under Section 903.06, the City can do the work itself and assess the full cost, plus a 5 percent penalty and interest, against the property under Section 903.07.

Obstruction Rules

Parma caps how long anything can block a sidewalk at one hour: Section 660.34 lets deliveries and pickups use the walk temporarily but no longer, bans dropping tacks, glass or nails that could hurt pedestrians, and requires protective covering before hauling heavy loads across a sidewalk or curb.

Key details: Governing section: Parma Codified Ordinances § 660.34. Sidewalk obstruction limit: Maximum 1 hour for loading/unloading. Hazardous debris ban: No tacks, glass, wire or nails on sidewalks. Heavy loads: Must protect pavement before hauling across. Cellar/coal-chute doors: Must have safeguards when open.

Violating any part of Section 660.34 is a minor misdemeanor under Section 698.02 of the Codified Ordinances, Parma's lowest criminal classification. The penalty language was last amended by Ordinance 146-13 in 2013. Because the ordinance singles out five separate hazards, from loose glass to an unguarded coal chute, each type of violation can be charged and cited on its own facts by the Division of Police.

Encroachment Permits

Anyone other than a City officer or employee who wants to open, tunnel into, or remove sidewalk surface within a Parma street, alley or other public ground must first file a written application with the Director of Public Service, pay a fee, and post a bond covering backfill and restoration costs of at least $1,000.

Key details: Permit fee: $150 per opening (Section 185.05). Bond required: $5,000 minimum per opening. Insurance minimum: $1,000,000 per occurrence. Backfill compaction: 95% density minimum. Repaving deadline: Within 48 hours of backfill.

A violation of any Chapter 902 requirement draws a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail under Section 902.99, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. Skipping the bond or insurance requirement, or reopening pavement inside the five-year moratorium in Section 902.06 without Council approval, exposes the permit holder to the same penalty and to City recovery of restoration costs from the bond.

The Bottom Line

Parma'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 Parma is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Parma 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.