Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Alexandria, VA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Alexandria, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
City Code Sec. 5-2-21 puts the job of clearing snow, sleet and ice off an abutting public sidewalk on the property owner or occupant, on a deadline tied to the city's declared snow emergency level. A companion rule, Sec. 5-2-20, requires storefronts and buildings to keep the sidewalk in front of them clear of trash and debris.
Alexandria Sidewalk Snow & Cleanup Duty
Some RestrictionsCity Code Sec. 5-2-21
Sec. 5-2-21 - Removal of snow, sleet and ice. (a)Whenever snow shall fall and lie on the sidewalks of the city, it shall be the duty of each owner or occupant to clean same from the public sidewalk abutting the place owned or occupied by him. The time for such removal shall be as follows:i.When the city manager or his designee has declared a Level 1 snow emergency, within 24 hours after the sno...
Obstruction Rules
Alexandria prohibits placing goods, merchandise or foodstuffs on a sidewalk, street or public right-of-way, or otherwise obstructing it, unless a right-of-way permit under Sec. 5-2-29(g) and the zoning ordinance has been issued. City Code Sec. 5-2-16 allows a brief exception only while items are actively being received or delivered.
Alexandria Sidewalk Obstruction & Merchandise Ban
Some RestrictionsAlexandria City Code Sec. 5-2-16
(a)No person shall place any goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs or similar items on, or in any way obstruct, any street, sidewalk, walkway of the city or occupy or use any of such sidewalks or walkways or other public right-of-way or use any such public right-of-way for the display or sale of any goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs or similar items, except either pursuant to a permit issue...
Encroachment Permits
Placing anything in the public right-of-way in Alexandria, from steps to planters to signs, requires an encroachment permit from the Director of T&ES under Sec. 5-2-29. The Director reviews every application for safety, nuisance risk and, in historic districts, compatibility with the streetscape, and can revoke a permit and order removal for noncompliance.
Alexandria Sidewalk Encroachment Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCity Code Sec. 5-2-29(a)
Sec. 5-2-29 - Street encroachments. (a)Encroachment requirements. Encroachments into a public right-of-way are subject to the following:(1)Permits. A permit for an encroachment must be obtained from the director of the department of transportation and environmental services or designee. The director may establish rules and procedures for processing permits and administering this section. After ...