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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Sonoma County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Sonoma County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Obstruction Rules

Unincorporated Sonoma County bars standing, sitting, or lying on a sidewalk so as to block pedestrian traffic once a peace officer has told the person to move on, under County Code § 19-7.

Sonoma County Sidewalk Obstruction Rules

Some Restrictions

Sonoma County Code § 19-7

No person shall stand, sit, or lay upon any sidewalk or pedestrian thoroughfare so as to obstruct the free pedestrian traffic thereon after being requested by a peace officer to move on.(b)No person shall sit or stand at the entrance to or exit of any public building, church, hall, theater, school or other place of public assemblage in any manner so as to obstruct such entrance or exit after be...

Encroachment Permits

Sonoma County requires a written encroachment permit from the road commissioner before digging, placing signs, planting, or building in any county highway right-of-way, with violators guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sonoma County Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits

Significant Restrictions

Sonoma County Code § 15-8

The road commissioner of the county may issue written permits authorizing the permittee to do any of the following acts: (a)Make an opening or excavation for any purpose in any county highway.(b)Place, change or renew an encroachment.(c)Place or display in, under or over any county highway any kind of advertising sign or device. Any such sign or device placed or displayed contrary to the pro...

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules by City in Sonoma County

2 cities in Sonoma County have their own sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Sonoma County ordinances

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

Sonoma County Ordinance Hub →