Bolingbrook, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Article I of chapter 44 sets the village's general rule for public rights-of-way. Section 44-1 makes it unlawful to cause, create or maintain any obstruction of a street, roadway, sidewalk or other public way, unless the obstruction is specifically authorized elsewhere in the chapter or the public works and engineering director has issued a permit for it. The same article backs that general obstruction ban with two related permit requirements that show how broadly obstruction is treated: § 44-5 requires a permit before any water, gas or sewer pipe or tile is laid or buried in a street or other public place, and § 44-6 requires a permit before any poles or wires, including electric and telephone lines, are erected or maintained on, over or under a street or public place.

Together these sections mean a resident or contractor cannot place materials, equipment, or utility lines in the public way, including the sidewalk, without first getting village authorization; the public works and engineering director is the official who reviews and issues that authorization. The article does not name specific dollar caps for reviewable obstructions like sidewalk staging or fencing, so anyone planning to occupy the right-of-way for any purpose should confirm with that office before starting.