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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Arlington County, VA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Arlington County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Arlington County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Obstruction Rules

Arlington County bars anyone from dumping material on a sidewalk, street or other public property that could obstruct travel or injure someone. Code § 17-6.A prohibits placing rubbish, refuse, litter, earth, glass, nails, metal scraps or "any substance whatever" that may injure a person or impede or hinder travel on a sidewalk or street.

Arlington County Sidewalk Obstruction Ban

Some Restrictions

Arlington County Code § 17-6.A

A. No person shall place, deposit or cast or cause to be placed, deposited or cast upon or in any street, highway, alley, gutter, sidewalk, park, playground, school ground or other publicly owned, rented or otherwise publicly controlled land or building within the County, any timber, wood, lumber, ashes, rubbish, refuse, litter, trash, earth or mud, glass or similar material, nails or similar m...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Encroachment Permits

Arlington County bars anyone from building, maintaining or using any structure in a public street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way without County Board consent. You need either a County Board Ordinance of Encroachment or a written County Manager determination that none is required. Unpermitted use is a Class 4 misdemeanor and a nuisance under state law.

Arlington County Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit

Significant Restrictions

Arlington County Code § 70-1

A. Rationale: Streets, highways, roads, alleys, rights-of-way and real property interests dedicated to or conveyed for public use belong to the general public. No private individual or entity has a right to use public streets, highways, roads, alleys, rights-of-way and real property interests dedicated to or conveyed for public use for private purposes, or in any manner not permitted to the gen...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Arlington County ordinances

See every category we cover for Arlington County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Arlington County Ordinance Hub →