Alameda County prohibits blocking sidewalks with vehicles, merchandise, overgrown vegetation, or construction materials. Clear 4-foot ADA-compliant passage must be maintained.
Alameda County Code and California state law require property owners and occupants to keep sidewalks clear of obstructions in unincorporated areas. This includes prohibitions on parking vehicles across sidewalks, allowing vegetation to overgrow, storing trash bins outside collection windows, and placing merchandise or signs in walkways. ADA requires minimum 4-foot clear passage width. Property owners must trim trees and hedges to maintain 8-foot vertical clearance over sidewalks. Violations can result in Public Works abatement notices and fines. Contact the Public Works Agency at (510) 670-5480 or the Sheriff for enforcement of parking-related obstructions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Alameda County's obstruction rules rules stack up against other locations.
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