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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Edmonds, WA (2026)

3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Edmonds, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Sidewalk Repair

In Edmonds, the owner of property directly abutting a sidewalk must maintain, repair and reconstruct it under ECC 9.20.050. The city takes over that duty only for double-fronted lots along higher-classified arterials listed in the code's Schedule I. ECC 9.20.040(B) extends the same owner duty to sidewalks built by a developer, a local improvement district, or already in place at purchase.

Edmonds Sidewalk Repair Responsibility for Owners

Some Restrictions

Edmonds City Code §§ 9.20.040(B), 9.20.050

B. Whenever any public right-of-way in the city shall have been improved by the construction of a sidewalk along either side thereof, the duty and expense of the inspection, maintenance, cleaning, repair and/or renewal of said sidewalk, shall be upon the owner of the directly abutting property when the sidewalk was constructed by a developer, local improvement district, or if it was in place pr...

Obstruction Rules

Edmonds bars abutting property owners from erecting or maintaining signs, structures or vegetation that block sight lines or intrude on a sidewalk or roadway under ECC 9.25.010. An encroachment onto a sidewalk, or within five feet of a roadway and rising ten feet high, is a specific violation. Unremoved obstructions can be removed by the city and billed to the owner.

Edmonds Sidewalk and Right-of-Way Obstructions

Significant Restrictions

Edmonds City Code §§ 9.25.010(A), 9.25.010(B), 9.25.100

A. It is unlawful for any person who either owns or has the right to possession, or both, of abutting real property to permit the erection or maintenance of any sign, device, structure or vegetation in the following circumstances herein set forth, ... ... 3. In such manner that it encroaches upon any part of a sidewalk, or within five feet of the improved or traveled portion of a public roadway...

Encroachment Permits

Edmonds requires an encroachment permit before any permanent structure, such as a fence, retaining wall, building extension, marquee or artwork, occupies public right-of-way, sidewalk, parking strip or easement space. Temporary items like cafe tables, planters, sandwich boards and stanchions need a separate street use permit instead. Both run through the planning and development director or city engineer under ECDC Chapter 18.70.

Edmonds Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits

Some Restrictions

Edmonds Community Development Code § 18.70.000

No person shall use or encroach upon any public place without obtaining a permit from the planning and development director or city engineer. A. Encroachment Permit. An encroachment permit is required to encroach upon any portion of city public space, right-of-way or easement area with permanent structures. ... ... B. Street Use Permit. A street use permit is required to use any portion of publ...

Looking for Snohomish County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Edmonds city rules.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Snohomish County