Bradenton, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 62-37 of the Code of Ordinances, adopted in Ord. No. 3013 on 9-27-17, bars a person, alone or with others, from standing, sitting, lying, congregating or placing objects in a way that obstructs one of two things. The first is the safe and efficient movement of pedestrian traffic on any sidewalk, walkway or right-of-way on which the public has a right to travel. The second is any person's safe and efficient access to the entryway of a building, where that entryway abuts a sidewalk, walkway or right-of-way on which the public has a right to travel. The test is obstruction of safe and efficient movement or access, not the mere presence of a person or object on the sidewalk.

Subsection (b) builds a warning step into enforcement. A law enforcement officer must notify the person that he or she is causing an obstruction in violation of the section and request that the person move his or her objects to remove it. The person is not charged if the obstruction is voluntarily removed and the violation is not repeated during the 72-hour period following the officer's notice and request. A repeat inside that window removes the protection.

The section carves out permitted activity. It does not apply to a person who causes an obstruction while performing activities specifically allowed by a valid government-issued permit, or in accordance with the conditions of a maintenance or traffic plan approved by a government entity. Subsection (c) repeats that exemption for a maintenance of traffic plan that has also been approved.

Section 62-37 sits in Article II, Sidewalks, of chapter 62. Related rules sit in Article V: Section 62-111 bars certain uses of public roads and rights-of-way, including sitting or standing while engaged in threatening or impeding conduct, and Section 62-36 requires approval before anyone constructs or repairs public sidewalk pavement.