Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Cook County, IL (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Cook County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

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

Obstruction Rules

Placing materials, equipment, devices or structures in a Cook County-jurisdiction public way, including sidewalks, without a Highway Department permit is banned under Sec. 66-65, with fines of $100 to $1,000 per day, county-wide except within Chicago.

Cook County Sidewalk Obstruction Permits

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 66-65

No person shall perform any work in the public way, including construction, reconstruction, upgrading, replacement, removal, relocation, modification or maintenance of any facilities, ... or place materials, equipment, devices, or structures in the public way (whether temporary or permanent) which, in the reasonable judgment of the Highway Department, will or may obstruct the public way, until ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Encroachment Permits

Placing driveways, sidewalks, fences or other private structures in a Cook County right-of-way requires a Highway Department permit before any digging or construction begins, with fees running from $200 for a typical driveway to $1,500 for sidewalk work.

Cook County Public Way Encroachment Permits

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 66-65

No person shall perform any work in the public way, including construction, reconstruction, upgrading, replacement, removal, relocation, modification or maintenance of any facilities, trimming or removal of any vegetation, or any excavation, in the public way, or place materials, equipment, devices, or structures in the public way (whether temporary or permanent) which, in the reasonable judgme...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗