Anaheim, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- AMC § 12.12.010
- First violation
- Infraction
- Repeat violation (12 mo.)
- Misdemeanor
- Blanket permit term
- 1 year for minor work
- Amended
- Ord. 6449, Nov. 11, 2018
Summary
Excavating, building or placing any structure in an Anaheim street, alley, sidewalk or utility easement requires a right-of-way construction permit from Public Works, with fees, a plan-review deposit, and security to cover damage; unpermitted first offenses are infractions, and repeat offenses within a year are misdemeanors.
12.12.010 OBSTRUCTIONS TO PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY — PERMIT REQUIRED. .010 It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to excavate or perform any construction within, obstruct in any manner, or place any temporary, portable or permanent structure or device within, any public right-of-way or easement...unless such person, firm or corporation possesses a written permit from the Director of the Public Works Department... .030 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the first violation of any provision of this section by any person within any twelve-month period shall be punishable as an infraction...The second and all subsequent violations of this section by said person occurring within any twelve-month period...shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-28: Code: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026 | Zoning: Local legislation current through Ord. 6627, passed 8-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
010 makes it unlawful to excavate, construct, obstruct or place any temporary, portable or permanent structure or device within a public right-of-way, defined to include streets, alleys, sidewalks and public utility easements, without a written right-of-way construction permit from the Director of Public Works. 52 Sidewalk Vendor Permit. 060 to cover damage to City property or unfinished work. 030 lets public utilities obtain a one-year blanket permit for defined 'minor work,' such as cable repair or maintenance of existing facilities, but excludes new distribution or transmission construction and work on arterial highways shown on the General Plan.
030) sets a graduated penalty: the first violation by a person within any 12-month period is an infraction under state Penal Code and Government Code procedures, while a second or later violation within that same 12-month period, even of a different subsection, becomes a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
A first unpermitted obstruction or excavation in the right-of-way within a 12-month period is an infraction; any second or subsequent violation by the same person in that 12-month window, of the same or a different provision of Section 12.12.010, is a misdemeanor. The Director can also require deposits and security under Sections 12.12.050 and 12.12.060 to cover City repair costs and unfinished work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to place a dumpster or fence panel on an Anaheim street?
What is the penalty for an unpermitted right-of-way obstruction in Anaheim?
Are sidewalk vendors exempt from Anaheim's obstruction permit rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anaheim
California rules heatmap·Compare Anaheim to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle obstruction rules.