Bonita Springs, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 34, Article II, Division 3 is the Bonita Springs Newsrack and Newspaper Vending Machine Ordinance (Ord. No. 00-11, dated 10-11-2000). The city council states its purpose as reasonable time, place and manner restrictions that further public safety and aesthetics. Section 34-63 defines a sidewalk as any surface provided for the exclusive use of pedestrians, including bike paths.

Section 34-64(a) prohibits any newsrack that projects onto, into or over any part of a public street roadway. Section 34-64(b) prohibits a rack on a public right-of-way when it endangers people or property, interferes with public utility or governmental use, impedes the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, blocks ingress or egress at a residence, business or legally parked vehicle, blocks light poles, traffic signs, hydrants or mailboxes, or interferes with sidewalk cleaning machinery or mechanical mowing.

The physical standards in § 34-64(c) are specific. Racks sit on a concrete pad at least 24 inches by 24 inches and two inches thick, anchored with galvanized lag bolts. No rack exceeds 50 inches in height, 27 inches in width and 18 inches in depth. A rack cannot stand within ten feet of a marked crosswalk, ten feet of a fire hydrant, ten feet of a driveway, 15 feet of the curb return of an unmarked crosswalk, 15 feet of a designated bus stop or 15 feet of a No Parking sign or zone. No rack goes on public land improved with flowers, shrubs, trees or other landscaping, and each carries a decal no larger than five inches by seven inches with the owner's name, address and telephone number.

Elsewhere, § 10-95 requires landowners to keep adjoining sidewalks and rights-of-way clear of litter, debris and weeds and to trim trees and shrubs to a vertical clearance of at least seven feet above any sidewalk. Section 34-42 separately makes commercial use of rights-of-way unlawful, including the sale or display of merchandise.