Battle Creek, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 1022.09 of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances bars anyone from placing merchandise, material or a sign on any sidewalk, or merchandise or material within any street area. The single exception is a reasonable quantity of material stored for construction purposes for a period not exceeding ninety days, upon a permit issued by the Department of Public Works when authorized by resolution of the City Commission. The material must be barricaded in the manner the Department prescribes, and the authorization is conditioned on a permit from the Director of Public Works, a cash deposit and a filed insurance policy as required by Section 1020.03.

Section 1022.10 sets the pedestrian floor: at least five feet of sidewalk space must be kept clean and clear for the free passage of pedestrians. Where building operations make that impractical, a temporary plank sidewalk with substantial railings or a sidewalk shelter must be provided around the obstruction. Chapter 1022 defines a sidewalk as the portion of the street right of way designed for pedestrian travel.

Other sections reach different kinds of obstruction on the same sidewalk. Section 1022.11 puts the duty on the owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of the adjacent premises to remove snow, ice, water, slush, mud, dirt, filth, rubbish, debris, leaves or any other thing placed or dropped on a public sidewalk, and to keep the sidewalk at all times safe and convenient for public use. Section 1022.14 adds that no person shall sweep, throw or deposit paper, waste, sweepings, trash or debris on a public sidewalk or put such material in the public streets. Section 1020.18 bars dropping, leaving or scattering hauled coal, sand, dirt, gravel, brick or scrap on any sidewalk, park, alley or roadway.

Under Section 1022.15 the City clears a sidewalk without further notice once it has been obstructed for twenty-four consecutive hours or more, and the cost is assessed against the premises under Chapter 216 of the Administration Code. Section 1022.17 excludes sidewalks beside real property used for residential purposes only from that section.