Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Detroit, MI (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Detroit, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Detroit property owners must repair a broken sidewalk or driveway apron within 30 days of a Department of Public Works notice; if they don't, the City does the work and bills them for it.
Who Repairs Sidewalks in Detroit
Some RestrictionsDetroit City Code § 44-3-141
When any sidewalk or driveway becomes out of repair within the City, the Department of Public Works shall give the owner, occupant or party in interest of the premises in front of or adjacent to which such sidewalk or driveway is located, notice to repair the same within 30 days. Further, if an abandoned driveway exists on public property in front of or adjacent to any commercial property, such...
Obstruction Rules
Detroit prohibits obstructing or encumbering any sidewalk, street, alley, or public place with animals, boxes, signs, barrels, fences, or other materials, except for narrow permitted uses like temporary loading and business display space.
Detroit Bans Obstructing Sidewalks and Streets
Some RestrictionsDetroit City Code § 43-8-2
No person shall obstruct or encumber any public wharf, street, alley, or any public place with animals, boxes, signs, barrels, posts, fences, buildings, dirt, stones, bricks, rubbish or any other material or thing whatsoever, except as otherwise provided for in this Code, or encroach upon or permit to remain or maintain in any such street, alley or public space, any building, structure or thing...
Encroachment Permits
Detroit requires a City Council-approved permit before anyone can build or place a structure that encroaches into a street, alley, or public easement, issued through the Department of Public Works.
Detroit Encroachment Permits for Right-of-Way Use
Significant RestrictionsDetroit City Code § 43-8-23
The Director of the Department of Public Works may issue a permit for temporary encroachment in a street, alley, or public easement after receiving the approval of the City Council through adoption of a resolution. The City Council shall only approve an encroachment after receiving a report from the Department of Public Works and the Planning and Development Department. The City Council may att...
Looking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Detroit city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Wayne County →