Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Rochester, NY (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Rochester, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Rochester places the duty to keep an adjoining public sidewalk in good repair on the abutting lot or building owner. If the owner ignores a 21-day written repair notice, the City Engineer can fix the sidewalk and bill the owner, adding the cost plus 10% to the property's tax roll if unpaid.
Rochester NY: Who Repairs Abutting Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsRochester City Charter § 7-11
It is the duty of the owner of any lot or parcel of land to keep the sidewalks adjoining his or her lot or parcel of land in good repair and free from obstructions or defects. The City Engineer has the power to cause to be repaired any sidewalk where the owner of the abutting property neglects or refuses to repair the same within 21 days after written notice to do so has been served upon him or...
Obstruction Rules
Rochester bars placing materials, goods, equipment or machinery in the public right-of-way, including sidewalks, without a written permit from the City Engineer. Violators face escalating Municipal Code Violations Bureau fines, with steeper penalties if the obstruction is ticketed as a severe right-of-way hazard.
Rochester NY Sidewalk and Right-of-Way Obstructions
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 104-24(A)
No person shall place or suffer to remain materials of any kind or any goods, wares, merchandise, equipment, machinery or other article or obstruction in the right-of-way without a permit in writing from the City Engineer, except while in the process of actively loading or unloading. Unless skids are necessary, a passageway for pedestrians shall be kept open while loading or unloading.
Encroachment Permits
Anyone building a marquee, awning, sidewalk cafe, foundation footing or other structure that extends into a Rochester street right-of-way must get a written permit from the City Engineer first. Permits carry precise clearance limits, and unauthorized encroachments are a declared nuisance.
Rochester NY Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 104-32, § 104-33(A)
The City Engineer may adopt rules and regulations relating to the construction and maintenance of encroachments in the City, including encroachments by telecommunication facilities. Permits for the construction of encroachments shall be issued in writing by the City Engineer, and the City Engineer may place reasonable restrictions upon any permit granted hereunder. No person shall construct an ...
Looking for Monroe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Monroe County →