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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Mountain View, CA (2026)

2 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Mountain View, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Obstruction Rules

Mountain View bans leaving anything on a public sidewalk or street that blocks free passage for more than one hour, under City Code Sec. 27.11. Narrow exceptions cover active deliveries, city-permitted lamp posts and fountains, and construction materials under an active building permit; anything else needs an encroachment permit from the public works director.

Mountain View Sidewalk Obstruction Rules

Some Restrictions

Mountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 27.11 (Obstructions - Prohibited Generally - Exceptions)

Except as otherwise permitted by this Code, no person shall place anywhere, upon any public way, street or sidewalk, and no person owning, occupying or having control of any premises shall suffer to remain in front thereof, upon the sidewalk of the street or way next to such premises, anything which shall obstruct the free passage of any portion of such street or sidewalk for more than one (1) ...

Encroachment Permits

Mountain View requires an encroachment permit from the public works director before anyone places a structure, object, or storage container on, over, or under city-owned property or easements. Sec. 27.16 lets the director deny a permit that would interfere with public works or endanger public health, safety, or convenience, and sets a processing fee by council resolution.

Mountain View Encroachment Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

Mountain View, CA, City Code Sec. 27.16 (Encroachment On City Property Unlawful; Encroachment Permits)

No person shall encroach on, in, over or under any real property, including easements, owned by the city, except as authorized by this Code, by any structure or object of any kind or character, temporary or permanent in nature, and whether such encroachment is real, personal or mixed property, without first obtaining a permit to do so from the public works director. Applications for a permit to...

Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?

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

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Santa Clara County