How Pomona Handles Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: A Practical Guide

Pomona maintains 146 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with sidewalk & pedestrian rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Pomona falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Encroachment Permits

Placing any structure, pipe, fence or similar object in, under or over a Pomona street requires a written encroachment permit from the public works director/city engineer. City Code Sec. 46-181 makes unpermitted encroachment a misdemeanor.

Key details: Permit issued by: Director of public works/city engineer. No-permit penalty: Misdemeanor, Sec. 46-181(b). Restoration duty: Permittee pays full street restoration cost. Revocation notice: 5 days, Sec. 46-188. Underground cover depth: 2½ feet below grade, Sec. 46-153.

Placing, changing or renewing an encroachment without the required permit is a misdemeanor under Sec. 46-181(b). Sec. 46-188 makes every issued permit revocable on five days' notice, after which the encroachment must be removed or relocated within a period the director sets, never less than five days unless the permit itself allows more time. Sec. 46-156 separately allows the director to demand relocation or removal of an encroachment that later conflicts with a public improvement, at the permittee's own expense, and treats an encroachment left in place after a removal notice, or one obstructing street use, as subject to city removal after five days plus a public nuisance under chapter 18, article II.

Compared to other cities, Pomona takes a harder line on encroachment permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Obstruction Rules

Pomona City Code Sec. 46-215 bans placing chairs, tables, umbrellas, propane tanks, generators, open-flame cookers, floodlights, speakers, cords, rugs, banners, trashcans or ice chests on any sidewalk, walkway, off-street lot or street without a permit. Code enforcement, public works, building, county health and fire inspectors, and police officers all hold authority to enforce the ban and impound violating items.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 46-215. Obstruction threshold: Item left over 30 minutes. Forfeiture deadline: 60 days unclaimed. Enforcing agencies: Code enforcement, public works, police, fire. Adopted: Ord. No. 4352, Oct. 21, 2024.

Violators face cumulative remedies under Sec. 46-217(c)-(d): criminal sanctions, civil actions and administrative citations under Sec. 1-7 of the Code, and the city can pursue more than one remedy at once rather than choosing just one. To get impounded items back, the owner must show proof of ownership and pay the council-set impound fee; miss the 60-day reclaim window and the property is forfeited and may be sold or destroyed at the city's sole discretion.

The Bottom Line

Pomona'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 Pomona is broadly strict or permissive.

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