Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Repairing or replacing a public sidewalk in Saint Paul is not a do-it-yourself job: Legislative Code § 121.01 bars anyone from constructing or repairing a sidewalk, driveway, or curb in the public right-of-way without the public works director's written permission. § 121.02 channels that permission specifically to owners of the abutting property, and § 121.03 requires the actual work be done by a licensed sidewalk contractor.
Saint Paul Sidewalk Repair Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code §§ 121.01-121.03
Sec. 121.01. Driveway, sidewalk, curb or surfacing of boulevards. No person shall construct or repair any driveway, sidewalk, curb or other impervious surfacing within the public right-of-way outside the normal vehicle traveled area, on or within any public street, alley or other public property except with the written permission of the director of the department of public works. Sec. 121.02. P...
Obstruction Rules
Saint Paul bars anyone from piling building materials, carts, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts, awnings or 'any other materials or substance whatever' onto a public sidewalk, alley or right-of-way under Legislative Code § 106.01(a). The rule locks in a minimum 48-inch clear pedestrian walk-through zone at all times, with narrow carve-outs for compliant sidewalk signs and permitted sidewalk cafés.
Saint Paul Sidewalk Obstruction Rules
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code § 106.01(a)(2)-(3)
(2)No person shall encumber or obstruct any sidewalk, lane, alley, public ground, public landing, wharf or pier, or other public place by placing thereon or therein any building materials, carriages, carts, wagons, sleighs, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts, awnings, signs, or any other materials or substance whatever. No person shall operate a sidewalk café without a license and a right-of-way ob...
Encroachment Permits
Building or maintaining anything that projects into a Saint Paul public right-of-way, retaining walls, areaways, nonstandard walks, tunnels, and similar structures, needs written permission from the public works director under Chapter 134. Applicants file plans, pay council-set fees, and accept full liability for the encroachment, and the city can revoke the permit for unsafe conditions.
Saint Paul Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 134.02, 134.04, 134.05
Sec. 134.02. - Permission required. No person shall construct and maintain any projection or encroachment within the public right-of-way except with the written permission of the director of the department of public works. Sec. 134.04. - Public works director to issue permit. The director is authorized to grant permission to owners of abutting property to construct and maintain a projection or ...
Looking for Ramsey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Saint Paul city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Ramsey County →