Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Raleigh, NC (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Raleigh, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Raleigh's City Charter makes it the legal duty of every property owner to keep the sidewalks and driveways abutting their land in good repair and safe condition. The City Council can also order sidewalk improvements or repairs itself and assess the full cost against the abutting property without needing an owner petition.
Raleigh Property Owners Must Repair Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsRaleigh City Charter § 6.44(f)
Sec. 6.44 - STREETS, SIDEWALKS, DRIVEWAYS, ETC. ... (b)Sidewalk Repairs. The Council is further authorized to order or to make sidewalk repairs and driveway repairs across sidewalks according to standards and specifications of the City, and to assess the total cost thereof against abutting properties without the necessity of a petition of property owners. ... (f)Duty of Maintenance for Driveway...
Obstruction Rules
It is unlawful to obstruct a Raleigh sidewalk by leaving boxes, bags, crates, stands, vehicles, coal, wood, lumber, litter or other items there longer than absolutely necessary to load or unload them. City Code Sec. 12-1005 exempts standard covered garbage cans and construction items under a special permit, and violations are misdemeanors that can also draw civil penalties.
Raleigh Sidewalk Obstruction Rules
Some RestrictionsRaleigh City Code Sec. 12-1005
Sec. 12-1005. - PLACING ARTICLES ON SIDEWALKS SO AS TO OBSTRUCT. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct the sidewalks of the City by placing thereon any box, bag, bale, crate, stand, frame, vehicle, coal, wood, brick, lumber, litter, or other obstruction for a longer period than is absolutely necessary for the purpose of loading, unloading, moving or transporting the same. (b) The ...
Encroachment Permits
Anyone using a Raleigh public sidewalk or right-of-way for a private purpose needs a permit from the Director of Transportation, following City Council approval, and must first accept written responsibility for any resulting injury or damage. City Code Sec. 12-1022 sets criminal and civil penalties for using or excavating a sidewalk without that approval.
Raleigh Sidewalk Private-Use Encroachment Permit
Some RestrictionsRaleigh City Code Sec. 12-1022
Sec. 12-1022. - USE OF SIDEWALKS FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES; PERMIT REQUIRED; INSURANCE. (a) No use of the surface of public sidewalks or public right-of-way for private purposes shall be permitted or continued unless the person, partnership, firm, or corporation desiring to use or continue the use of a sidewalk or public right-of-way shall procure a permit from the Director of Transportation of the ...
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Raleigh city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Wake County →