Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Shoreline, WA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Shoreline, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Shoreline places both the duty and the bill for sidewalk upkeep on the property next to it. SMC § 12.05.020(B) states the burden and expense of constructing, maintaining and repairing a sidewalk "shall fall upon and be borne by the property directly abutting thereon," and the city council can order repairs done through a local improvement district if public safety requires it.
Shoreline Sidewalk Repair Cost Duty
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 12.05.020(B)
B. Expense of Maintenance and Repair To Be Borne by Abutting Property Owner Thereof. The burden and expense of constructing, maintaining and repairing sidewalks along the side of any street or other public place shall fall upon and be borne by the property directly abutting thereon.
Obstruction Rules
Shoreline bars any private use of a street or sidewalk right-of-way unless a permit is issued. SMC § 12.15.030(B) says city right-of-way "shall not be privately improved or used for access or other purposes unless a permit has been issued," and § 12.15.030(D) requires that permitted short-term uses not "unreasonably obstruct, hinder, jeopardize, injure, or delay" travel.
Shoreline Right-of-Way Obstruction Rules
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 12.15.030(B), (D)
B. Nonexclusive Right. City right-of-way shall not be privately improved or used for access or other purposes unless a permit has been issued for such use. Permits issued pursuant to this section shall not be construed to convey any vested right or ownership interest in any city right-of-way. ... ... D. Right-of-Way Use Permits. The purpose of use permits is to allow short-term activities and t...
Encroachment Permits
Placing a bus shelter, fence, kiosk or other structure in a Shoreline street or sidewalk right-of-way requires a right-of-way site permit under SMC § 12.15.030(C). The Public Works and Utilities Department issues these for up to five years, renewable at its discretion, and most permittees pay a periodic use fee equal to the right-of-way's rental value on top of the application fee.
Shoreline Right-of-Way Site Permits
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 12.15.030(C)
C. Right-of-Way Site Permit. Right-of-way site permits are a specific class of right-of-way permit that may be available for utilities or other parties who do not hold a valid city franchise in accordance with Chapter 12.25 SMC for activities of extended duration which will not further physically disturb the existing or planned public use of the right-of-way once in place. This may include stru...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Shoreline city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in King County →