Arlington Heights, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 20-301, Obstructions, sits in Article III, Prohibited Street Uses, of Chapter 20, Streets, Sidewalks and Trees. It reads: 'It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cause, create or maintain any obstruction of any street, roadway, alley, sidewalk or other public way, except as may be specifically authorized by ordinance or allowed under permit issued by the Director of Public Works.' The prohibition covers the full range of Village of Arlington Heights public ways in Cook County: streets, roadways, alleys and sidewalks, and it applies to any person, firm, or corporation, not just contractors.

The adjoining Section 20-305, Deposits on Roadways, Parkways and Sidewalks, gives the rule concrete numbers for one common obstruction: merchandise staged for delivery. It is unlawful to deposit material harmful to pavement or that could injure a person, animal or property, but merchandise or other articles 'may be deposited on sidewalks preparatory to delivery, provided that the usable width of the sidewalk is not reduced to less than five feet; and provided that no article shall remain on the walk for more than one-half hour.' Section 20-306 separately requires construction sites to keep adjoining streets free of dust, dirt, mud, and debris, cleaned at least twice during each day's operations and again at day's end, or the Village may remove the material itself and bill the responsible party the reasonable cost plus an emergency mobilization fee if the debris is not cleared within two hours of Village notice.