Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Norfolk, VA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Norfolk puts the daily burden of a public sidewalk on the property it fronts, not the city. Code of Ordinances Section 42-32 requires the occupant, or the owner if the lot is vacant, to keep the abutting sidewalk clear of grass, weeds, paper, and debris. Section 42-34 gives that same person three hours after snow stops falling to clear it, and Section 42-21 makes anyone who damages a sidewalk pay the city to repair it.
Norfolk Sidewalk Repair and Maintenance Duty
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances §§ 42-21, 42-32, 42-34
It shall be the duty of the occupant of any land or premises abutting upon any sidewalk, whether paved or not, and the duty of the owner of any unoccupied land or premises abutting upon any paved sidewalk, to remove any grass or weeds from the sidewalk in front of such land or premises, and to keep such sidewalk clear of paper, debris and refuse. ... every day that any sidewalk shall not remain...
Obstruction Rules
Norfolk bars anyone from placing signs, structures or building projections in a public right-of-way, street, alley or sidewalk without city council authorization under § 42-10. The director of public works can order the obstruction removed, and every violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor with each day counted as a separate offense.
Norfolk Sidewalk and Right-of-Way Obstructions
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 42-10
(a)No piazza, porch, step, fence, enclosure or other projection attached to any building or lot shall be extended beyond the building line, unless authorized by the council.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to affix, place, erect, maintain, post or attach or cause or allow to be affixed, placed, erected, maintained, posted or attached any sign, banner, poster, sticker, post, light bay or o...
Encroachment Permits
Structures that project into a Norfolk right-of-way normally need city council authorization under § 42-10, but § 42-10.1 lets the city manager administratively permit two specific encroachments: wayfinding signs for $150 per sign per year, and public-art wraps on utility boxes. Every such permit is a revocable license, not a property right.
Norfolk Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 42-10.1
(b)Permit for installation of wayfinding signs. Notwithstanding the general prohibitions set forth in section 42-10, the city manager or his designee is authorized to approve the installation of a wayfinding sign allowing it to encroach in the public right-of-way in order to aid the navigation of vehicular tourist traffic associated with facilities or establishments located within the city and ...