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

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Richardson, Texas, 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.

Encroachment Permits

Before anyone builds, alters or resurfaces a walk, drive, curb, gutter or paved area on public property in Richardson, the building inspection department has to authorize it first. That happens either through a contractor's voucher tied to an existing building permit, at no extra charge, or through a standalone concrete permit with a fee from the Master Fee Schedule.

Key details: Permit trigger: Any walk/drive/curb/gutter work on public property. Issuing office: Building inspection department. Tied to a building permit: Contractor's voucher, no extra fee. No building permit: Standalone concrete permit + Master Fee Schedule fee. Contractor requirement: Must be registered, bonded.

It is unlawful under section 20-36(e) to pour concrete on public property without inspection and approval from the building inspection department. When a reinspection turns up uncorrected work, a reinspection fee is due before the third reinspection and every one after that. Because chapter 20 carries no chapter-specific fine, the general penalty in section 1-8 applies: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, with each day of an ongoing violation counted separately.

Obstruction Rules

Richardson makes it unlawful for a property owner or occupant to place or leave any object, tree, shrub or vegetation between their property line and the curb in a way that blocks the public's use of that strip. A related rule keeps plantings five feet clear of fire hydrants, and vehicles can't stop or park on a sidewalk except to avoid a traffic conflict.

Key details: Prohibited: Objects, trees, shrubs blocking the sidewalk strip. Applies to: Property owner or occupant. Fire hydrant buffer: No plants within 5 feet. Vehicles on sidewalks: Stopping/parking barred (Sec. 22-149). City removal power: Traffic engineer may order removal (Sec. 22-41).

Chapter 22 carries no obstruction-specific fine, so the citywide general penalty in section 1-8 governs: a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500, and each day an obstruction remains counts as a separate offense. The traffic engineer can independently order a violating tree, shrub or plant removed or trimmed under section 22-41(26) regardless of any citation.

Sidewalk Repair

In Richardson, the owner of property abutting a sidewalk, driveway, curb or gutter is on the hook for fixing it once the chief building official finds it defective, unsafe or hazardous. Repairs are due within 30 days of written notice, at the owner's expense, and missing the deadline is a misdemeanor.

Key details: Who repairs: Abutting property owner. Who determines hazard: Chief building official. Repair deadline: 30 days from written notice. Noncompliance penalty: Misdemeanor, up to $500/day (Sec. 1-8). Injury liability: Owner primarily liable (Sec. 20-8).

Failing to repair a defective, unsafe or hazardous sidewalk, driveway, curb or gutter within 30 days of the chief building official's written notice is a misdemeanor under section 20-11. Because chapter 20 does not set its own dollar amount, the citywide general penalty in section 1-8 applies: a fine of up to $500, with each day the condition continues treated as a separate offense. An injured pedestrian can also pursue the abutting owner directly for damages under section 20-8's liability rule.

The Bottom Line

Richardson'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 Richardson is broadly strict or permissive.

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