Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Bessemer, AL (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Bessemer, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Bessemer puts sidewalk repair on the abutting property owner and occupant, not the city. Once the street superintendent serves written notice of a defect, crack or hazard, the owner has ten days to fix it before the city can repair the sidewalk itself and bill the owner for the cost.
Bessemer Sidewalk Repair Is Owner's Duty
Some RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances §§ 94-2—94-4
No person shall allow a defect, crack, obstruction or other hazard to the travelling public to remain in or on the street or sidewalk in front of, along or abutting on premises occupied by such person after the expiration of ten days from service of a notice of such defect, crack, obstruction or other hazard by the street superintendent. ... No owner of any property shall allow a defect, crack ...
Obstruction Rules
Bessemer bans putting showcases or advertising displays on any sidewalk outright, with no permit option, and requires every gas or water meter box in a sidewalk or street to sit flush at grade within 12 inches of the curb. Noncompliant fixtures can be condemned and removed as nuisances.
Bessemer Sidewalk Fixture and Showcase Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances §§ 94-172, 94-173
No person shall erect or construct upon any sidewalk or any part thereof any showcase or device for advertising purposes, or place any obstruction of any kind or nature on any sidewalk. ... All gas meters and water meter boxes, cutoffs, pipes and other appliances in the sidewalks or streets of the city shall be placed on an exact grade so as not to project above or be an obstruction in the side...
Encroachment Permits
Before anyone blocks a Bessemer street, sidewalk or other public way, even temporarily, they need a permit from the chief of police. The rule targets anything that would stop the free passage of people on foot, separate from the city's driveway and sidewalk-construction permitting handled by the engineering department.
Bessemer Sidewalk Obstruction Permit
Some RestrictionsBessemer Code of Ordinances § 94-171
No person shall obstruct any street or sidewalk or other public way so as to prevent the free passage of persons on such streets, sidewalks or other public ways without first obtaining a permit from the chief of police.
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bessemer city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Jefferson County →