Albany, OR Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Core ban
- No obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic on any sidewalk or street
- Dispersal orders
- Failing to disperse on a lawful police order is prohibited
- Structures
- Encroachment, special event, or road closure permit required
- Snow and ice
- Clear within two hours after it stops falling
- Overnight snow
- If after 6:00 p.m., clear by 7:30 a.m. next day
- Penalty
- AMC § 1.04.010: up to $1,000 violation or $2,500 misdemeanor
Summary
In the City of Albany, Oregon, no one can obstruct or help obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a sidewalk or street, refuse a police dispersal order, deposit earth or debris, or build a structure on or over a public street or sidewalk without an encroachment, special event, or road closure permit. Vehicles and merchandise that impede traffic are also barred.
(1) No person shall, except as otherwise permitted by ordinance, obstruct, cause to be obstructed, or assist in obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic on any sidewalk or street. (2) No person or persons shall fail or refuse to disperse when lawfully ordered to do so by any police officer. ... (5) No person shall deposit any earth or other debris upon any street or sidewalk. (6) No person shall place or erect a structure or part of a structure on or over a public street or sidewalk without an encroachment or special event permit or road closure permit. ... No person shall park or leave any vehicle or any part thereof, or any trailer, box, ware or merchandise of any description, or any other thing that in any way impedes traffic, or obstructs the view, upon any street, including an alley, parking strip, sidewalk or curb, except by such lawful use and parking of vehicles upon streets and alleys as is allowed by this title or other ordinances of this City.
Full Breakdown
Albany Municipal Code § 7.68.010, Obstructing passageways, is the core sidewalk rule. Subsection (1) says no person shall, except as otherwise permitted by ordinance, obstruct, cause to be obstructed, or assist in obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic on any sidewalk or street. Subsection (2) says no person or persons shall fail or refuse to disperse when lawfully ordered to do so by any police officer. Subsection (5) bars depositing earth or other debris upon any street or sidewalk. Subsection (6) bars placing or erecting a structure or part of a structure on or over a public street or sidewalk without an encroachment permit, special event permit, or road closure permit.
Subsection (7) covers hazards in the walking surface: no person shall permit a cellar door or grate located in or upon a sidewalk to remain open except when the entrance is being used, and then it can be opened only with the proper safeguards to protect pedestrians. Subsection (8) puts snow and ice duty on the owner, lessee, occupant, or person in control of premises or unimproved property abutting a sidewalk: snow or ice cannot remain more than two hours after it has ceased to fall, and if it falls or accumulates after 6:00 p.m., it must be removed by 7:30 a.m. the following day. Subsection (4) separately limits selling, storing, or display of merchandise or equipment on a street or sidewalk to a special event permit or road closure permit.
The traffic title backs this up. Section 13.36.160 says no person shall park or leave any vehicle or any part of one, or any trailer, box, ware, or merchandise of any description, or any other thing that in any way impedes traffic or obstructs the view, upon any street, including an alley, parking strip, sidewalk, or curb, except by lawful use and parking of vehicles allowed by the title or other City ordinances. Section 13.40.150 adds that bicycles cannot be parked on a street or sidewalk except in a rack, against a building, or at the curb, in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. These rules apply within the City of Albany, Oregon, and are enforced by the Albany Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Section 13.36.190 states that any person violating Chapter 13.36 is subject to the penalties in AMC § 1.04.010. Section 7.68.010 prints no penalty, so § 1.04.010 also governs it: an offense with no penalty is deemed a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $2,500 or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both. Under § 1.04.020 the City Attorney can treat the case as a violation with a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Each day is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to block a sidewalk in Albany, Oregon?
Do I need a permit to put a structure over an Albany sidewalk?
How fast must Albany property owners clear sidewalk snow?
Can I leave a trailer or boxes on the sidewalk in Albany?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
Compare Albany to another location·View the Oregon sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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