Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Yakima, WA

If you live in Yakima or are thinking about moving there, sidewalk & pedestrian rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Yakima has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sidewalk & pedestrian rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Sidewalk Repair

Yakima property owners bear the duty, cost, and liability for maintaining, cleaning, and repairing the public sidewalk directly abutting their property, under Chapter 8.76 of the municipal code.

Key details: Duty holder: Abutting property owner/occupant. Cleaning penalty: Up to $250 per violation. Vegetation clearance: 7 feet above sidewalk. Repair cost cap: 50% of assessed land value. Unpaid cost: Becomes a lien on property.

Failure to maintain or clean an abutting sidewalk is a civil infraction up to $250 per violation, with each day a separate offense; unpaid repair assessments become a lien on the property.

Obstruction Rules

Yakima businesses can't set goods, produce or merchandise out on the public sidewalk for display or sale: only active loading and unloading is allowed.

Key details: Covers: Goods, produce, merchandise on sidewalks. Exception: Active receipt or delivery only. First-offense fine: $95 civil infraction. Repeat fines: $150, then $250.

A violation is a civil infraction under YMC § 6.75.070: $95 for a first offense within a year, $150 for a second, and $250 for a third or later.

Encroachment Permits

Yakima bars any private use of a public right-of-way, including sidewalks, without a right-of-way use permit under YMC Chapter 8.20. The city engineer issues short-term and residential permits; the city council must approve business and commercial uses. Sidewalk cafes, temporary signs and special-event uses are carved out and governed elsewhere.

Key details: Governing chapter: YMC Chapter 8.20. Permit issuer: City engineer or designee. Business/commercial permits: Require city council approval. Residential zone permits: Companion variance under YMC 15.21 required. Liability insurance: $500,000 residential / $1,000,000 business.

Unpermitted private use of the right-of-way is a public nuisance subject to injunction or abatement (§ 8.20.130), enforced alongside YMC Chapter 6.75 (obstructing streets and sidewalks) and RCW 9A.84.030. Items left in the right-of-way may be removed after a five-day posted and mailed notice, are deemed abandoned if not retrieved, and removal costs are billed to the violator. General penalties follow the procedure in YMC § 8.01.010 (§ 8.20.120). The city engineer may also revoke a permit on 30 days' written notice, or suspend it immediately if the use is an immediate hazard; the permit holder can appeal a denial or revocation under YMC Chapter 16.08.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Yakima actively enforces its encroachment permits requirements.

The Bottom Line

Yakima'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 Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Yakima 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.