Canton, OH Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Canton Codified Ordinances § 903.03 prohibits placing or causing to be placed any material for building purposes on or in a street, sidewalk, lane, alley or public sidewalk or public ground until the Building Inspection Department issues a permit. The permit only authorizes occupying the portion of the sidewalk, street, lane, alley or public ground needed to store building materials during construction or remodeling, and every permit must be reported to the Director of Public Safety at least forty-eight hours before the occupation begins so necessary safety precautions can be taken.

Section 903.04 layers on a lighting duty for anyone holding a § 903.03 permit: at their own expense they must place, keep and maintain not fewer than two signal lanterns, and as many more as necessary, at or near the material, kept lit every night from dusk until daylight the next day for as long as the material or obstruction remains. Section 903.05 further requires that permitted building material be located so it does not interfere with the free flow of water on the street, lane, alley or public ground.

The City can revoke enforcement teeth even without a separate court case: § 903.99(b) lets the Director of Public Service revoke a permit issued under §§ 903.03 through 903.05 at his discretion, and directs the Director of Public Service and police to prevent unpermitted placement of material and to cause removal of any material placed without a permit. Chapter 903 was most recently amended by Ordinance 158-79, passed May 14, 1979, for the penalty section, with § 903.03 itself dating to Ordinance 346-76, passed August 30, 1976.