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

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Roseville, California, 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.

Obstruction Rules

Roseville bans keeping, storing or displaying goods, signs, crates or rubbish on any street, sidewalk or alley, and bars anyone from blocking free passage by loitering, demonstrating or selling goods there. Sidewalks must stay clear at all times unless the city issues a specific permit.

Key details: Core prohibition: RMC § 13.12.010, no goods/rubbish on sidewalks. Default rule: Sidewalks kept clear and unobstructed at all times. Temporary obstruction permit: Issued by superintendent of public works. Interference offense: RMC § 13.12.020, infraction or misdemeanor. Sit/lie ban: Sidewalks, crosswalks; exceptions for disability, parades, benches.

A Section 13.12.010 obstruction violation is a general code violation; the related interference offense in Section 13.12.020 may be charged as either an infraction or a misdemeanor, at the discretion of the city attorney, for blocking free passage or sitting, lying or sleeping on a public walkway after being asked by a peace officer to move on.

Encroachment Permits

Roseville requires an encroachment permit from the city engineer before any construction or object is placed in a public street right-of-way, including sidewalks. Permittees must post a performance security equal to 100 percent of the estimated work cost and restore the street within two working days of finishing.

Key details: Governing section: RMC § 13.28.010. Permit issuer: City engineer. Performance security: 100% of estimated work cost. Warranty security: 10% of project cost after completion. Warranty period: 180 days (<$25,000) or 365 days (over).

Performing construction or placing an encroachment in the public right-of-way without first obtaining an encroachment permit from the city engineer violates Section 13.28.010. Where the posted security proves inadequate to cover restoration or repair costs, Section 13.28.050(C) gives the city engineer recourse against the permittee for the additional amount needed to restore the public street.

Sidewalk Repair

Roseville property owners must keep the sidewalk fronting their lot in safe repair. If the city engineer finds a stretch broken or hazardous, the city notifies the abutting owner to fix it; if the owner fails to act, the city repairs it and bills the cost back to the property.

Key details: Governing section: RMC § 13.08.050. Who repairs: Abutting property owner or occupant. City exception: Damage the city itself caused. Tree exception: Root/trunk growth of designated street trees. Enforcement: City engineer notice, then city repair and cost assessment.

A violation of Chapter 13.08's requirements, including the repair duty in Section 13.08.050, is punishable as an infraction under Section 13.08.080. Beyond the infraction charge, an owner who ignores a repair notice faces the city performing the repair itself and assessing the full cost against the property, which can attach as a lien collectible with the owner's property taxes.

The Bottom Line

Roseville'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 Roseville is broadly strict or permissive.

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