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

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Roswell, Georgia, 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

Roswell, Georgia places sidewalk installation and repair duty on the abutting property owner. Code of Ordinances Section 18.1.7 requires owners to build sidewalks along their full street frontage when a development or building permit issues, and Section 18.1.8 makes owners responsible for maintaining any private sidewalk connecting to the public system.

Key details: Repair duty: Falls on the abutting property owner. Trigger: Any development or building permit issued. Setback: 5 ft from curb (2 ft if hardship). Landscaping upkeep: Owner maintains strip to curb. Private sidewalks: Owner maintains to city standard (18.1.8).

Article 18.1 sets no standalone fine for a deficient or unrepaired sidewalk; a violation of the installation or upkeep duty in Sections 18.1.7 and 18.1.8 is enforced through the Code's general penalty at Section 1.1.3, up to $2,000.00, 180 days' imprisonment, or 180 days of community service, and the director of transportation can withhold a certificate of occupancy until a required sidewalk is built or repaired.

Obstruction Rules

Roswell, Georgia bars debris, signs, displays, poles, and merchandise from streets and sidewalks that impede or endanger traffic, and requires evicted tenants' abandoned property removed from the right-of-way within 24 hours or the city removes it and bills the owner.

Key details: Governing section: Roswell Code of Ordinances § 18.2.1. Prohibited in street/sidewalk: Debris, boxes, signs, poles, merchandise. Evicted-tenant property: Removed within 24 hours or city acts. Removal cost penalty: 125% of city's removal cost. Amended: Ord. No. 2012-09-14, § 1.

Placing prohibited items in a street or sidewalk, or leaving evicted tenants' property in the right-of-way past 24 hours, is a code violation; the city may remove items and bill the owner 125% of removal costs.

Encroachment Permits

Building anything in a Roswell street right-of-way, from a driveway to a fence, needs a construction permit from the transportation department kept on-site at all times.

Key details: Issuing dept: City Transportation Department. Covers: driveways, entrances, permanent fixtures. Must conform to: City and Georgia DOT standards. Permit location: must stay on-site during work.

Constructing in the right-of-way, including a driveway or a permanent fixture like a fence or sign, without a transportation department permit is unlawful under § 18.1.2.

The Bottom Line

Roswell'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 Roswell is broadly strict or permissive.

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