Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Birmingham, AL (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Birmingham puts the burden of fixing a broken or dangerous sidewalk on the abutting property owner, not the city. Once the city engineer gives written notice of a defect, the owner has ten days to repair it before the city can step in and bill the cost back with a lien.
Birmingham Sidewalk Repair Is Owner's Duty
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 4-5-11
It shall be unlawful for any property owner to allow the sidewalk paving, portions of private driveways built within the public right-of-way, and any sidewalk openings, as defined in section 4-5-90, located in such paved sidewalks in front, or along the side of his or her property to remain in a broken, worn, damaged or defective condition, or to permit, suffer, cause or allow any obstruction t...
Obstruction Rules
Birmingham's general obstruction ordinance bars anyone from blocking a street or sidewalk with an animal, vehicle, boxes, barrels, trash, merchandise displays or sidewalk signs. Companion sections add specific bans on unpermitted sidewalk stands, fences that encroach into the right-of-way, and anything hanging lower than seven feet above a walkway.
Birmingham Bans Blocking Streets & Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 4-5-23
No person shall obstruct any street or sidewalk or part thereof in any manner not permitted by this Code or other ordinance of the city with any animal or vehicle or with boxes or barrels, glass, trash, rubbish or display of wares, merchandise or sidewalk signs or other like things, so as to obstruct the free passage of persons on the streets or sidewalks or any part thereof.
Encroachment Permits
Anyone building a driveway, paved sidewalk, sidewalk opening or vault under a Birmingham sidewalk needs a written permit from the building official first. Vaults and sidewalk openings also require annual renewal, proof of insurance and a bond before the city will let the encroachment stay.
Birmingham Sidewalk Encroachment Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Code of Ordinances § 4-5-91
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, use, or cause to be constructed or used any driveway or paved sidewalk or portion of any such, or any sidewalk opening or vault, without having first obtained a written permit from the building official... (c)It shall be unlawful for any person to use a sidewalk opening and/or vault without obtaining a permit annually from the city building o...
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Jefferson County →