Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Southfield, MI (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Southfield, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Southfield City Code § 4.68 makes the owner of property adjoining a public sidewalk responsible for keeping it from falling into disrepair or becoming unsafe. Under § 4.69, once the city administrator finds a sidewalk unsafe, the abutting owner gets notice and must fix it within a set time; if the owner refuses, the city administrator has the repair done and bills the cost back to the property.
Southfield Sidewalk Repair Owner Duty
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code §§ 4.68, 4.69
Sec. 4.68. - Sidewalk maintenance. No person shall permit any sidewalk which adjoins property owned by him to fall into a state of disrepair or to be unsafe. Sec. 4.69. - Sidewalk repair. Whenever the city administrator shall determine that a sidewalk is unsafe for use, notice may be given to the owner of the lot or premises adjacent to and abutting upon such sidewalk of such determination, whi...
Obstruction Rules
Southfield requires at least 5 feet of clear sidewalk to stay open for pedestrians past any construction obstruction. If that width can't be maintained, the contractor must build a temporary plank sidewalk with railings, or a sidewalk shelter, meeting Chapter 102's building standards.
Southfield 5-Foot Sidewalk Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code § 4.27
At least five (5) feet of sidewalk space shall be kept clean and clear for the free passage of pedestrians and if the building operations are such that such free passageway is impracticable, a temporary plank sidewalk with substantial railings or sidewalk shelter built in accordance with chapter 102 of this Code shall be provided around such obstruction.
Encroachment Permits
Occupying a Southfield street with construction materials or machinery, or for any other purpose, requires a permit from the director of public service, plus a cash deposit and a liability insurance policy in amounts set by city council resolution. Unused deposit funds are refunded once a final inspection confirms the work is done.
Southfield Street Occupancy Encroachment Permit
Some RestrictionsSouthfield City Code §§ 4.26, 4.3
No person shall occupy any street with any materials or machinery incidental to the construction, demolition or repair of any building adjacent to such street, or for any other purpose, without first obtaining a permit from the director and posting a cash deposit and filing an insurance policy as required by section 4.3. ... Where liability insurance policies are required to be filed in making ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Southfield city rules.
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