Alhambra, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Merchant clearance window
- 2 hours from when goods are deposited
- Minimum pedestrian path
- 5 feet must stay clear at all times
- Continuing violation
- Each day counted as a separate offense
- Permitted exceptions
- Potted plants, clocks, fountains with written permit
- Enforcing agency
- Alhambra Police Department
Summary
Alhambra declares any obstruction of a public street, alley, parkway or sidewalk a nuisance, with each day it continues counted as a separate offense. Merchants get a narrow two-hour window to clear delivered goods, and a five-foot pedestrian path must stay open at all times.
It is hereby declared a nuisance and it shall be unlawful for any person either as principal, agent, officer or employee to place any obstruction of any kind in any public street or alley or any public park-way or sidewalk in the city or to authorize, procure or permit any obstruction to be placed therein or thereon and each day any such obstruction is main-tained or permitted in any such street or alley or on any such parkway or sidewalk shall be deemed a separate offense; provided, that merchants and others receiving and delivering goods and whose premises are not served by an alley, shall be allowed two hours from the time such goods are deposited on a sidewalk or parkway until they are removed; provided further, that a space five feet in width shall at all times be kept clear for accommodation of persons passing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
060 makes it unlawful, and declares a public nuisance, for any person acting as principal, agent, officer or employee to place an obstruction in a public street, alley, parkway or sidewalk, or to authorize, procure or permit one to be placed there. The section builds in a narrow accommodation for commerce: merchants and others receiving or delivering goods whose premises are not served by an alley get two hours from the time goods are deposited on a sidewalk or parkway to remove them, but a five-foot-wide path must remain clear at all times for pedestrians passing by.
Every day an obstruction is maintained or permitted is treated as a separate offense, so a merchant who leaves pallets out overnight faces a new violation each calendar day rather than one continuing charge. Subsection (B) carves out three specific exemptions: temporary obstruction while a building is being moved from one place to another, and potted shrubs, plants, clocks or drinking fountains placed on a parkway or sidewalk under a written permit issued by the city. 08, the general traffic-title chapter that also houses the city's skateboard and coaster restrictions. 200.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 11.08.060 is an infraction under § 11.08.200, punishable in the amounts set by City Council resolution under the general infraction schedule at § 1.12.011. Because each day of a maintained obstruction is a separate offense, a business that fails to clear blocked sidewalk space accrues a new citation daily until it complies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a store leave delivered goods on the sidewalk?
Is blocking a sidewalk a one-time fine?
Can I put a planter on the parkway in front of my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
California rules heatmap·Compare Alhambra to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle obstruction rules.