Coeur d'Alene, ID Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Passageway beside excavation
- At least four feet wide along the sidewalk
- Excavation permit
- Written permit from the City Treasurer, at least two working days ahead
- Surface obstruction
- Encroachment permit from the City Engineer (12.44.020)
- Barrier lights
- At each end and not more than fifty feet apart, sunset to sunrise
- Snow and ice
- Abutting sidewalk cleared within a reasonable time after snowfall
- Base penalty
- Fine up to $1,000 or up to 180 days, or both
Summary
In the City of Coeur d'Alene, work in the public right of way must be confined so it does not obstruct walks unnecessarily, and a passageway at least four feet wide stays open along any sidewalk used for excavated material. Separate rules require owners to clear snow and ice from abutting sidewalks.
The working area shall be confined so as not to obstruct roadways and walks unnecessarily. Temporary roadways, driveways and walks for vehicles and pedestrians shall be constructed where required. ... If the street is not wide enough to hold the excavated materials without using part of the adjacent sidewalk, the person by whom the excavation is made shall erect a tight board fence upon and along such sidewalk and keep a passageway at least four feet (4') in width open upon and along such sidewalk. ... It shall also be the duty of the permittee excavating or otherwise obstructing any sidewalk in the fire limits to erect and maintain a four foot (4') walkway outside of the curbline along such excavation or obstruction during such time as the sidewalk may remain impassable, with a substantial railing on each side to protect pedestrians.
Full Breakdown
The core obstruction rule for sidewalks sits in section 12.16.050A, which governs the performance of work in streets and rights of way. The working area must be confined so as not to obstruct roadways and walks unnecessarily, and temporary roadways, driveways and walks for vehicles and pedestrians must be built where required. When excavated material cannot fit in the street without using part of the adjacent sidewalk, the person excavating must erect a tight board fence along the sidewalk and keep a passageway at least four feet wide open. Gutters stay free and unobstructed for the full depth of the curb and for at least one foot from the curb face. Inside the fire limits, anyone obstructing a sidewalk must build and maintain a four foot walkway outside the curbline with a substantial railing on each side.
Permits stand behind those rules. Excavating in a public street, alley or sidewalk requires a written permit from the City Treasurer under section 12.16.010, secured at least two working days before work starts except in emergencies (12.16.030B), and placing any obstruction on the surface of a public right of way requires an encroachment permit from the City Engineer under section 12.44.020. Under section 12.16.080 the permittee must place barriers at each end of an excavation and lights at each end and at distances of not more than fifty feet along it from sunset each day to sunrise.
Owners have separate duties that keep walks clear. Section 12.24.010 requires every owner or occupant to clear the abutting sidewalk of snow and ice within a reasonable time after a snowfall, and to apply sand or other traction material when ice is too compacted to remove without injuring the sidewalk. Section 12.32.060 makes it unlawful to deposit snow, ice, dirt, soil, rocks or debris from private property on a public street or sidewalk. Trees and shrubs that overhang or grow in a way that impairs free use of the right of way are declared public nuisances by section 12.36.505.
Violations & Fines
Section 1.28.010 makes violating a city ordinance a misdemeanor unless an infraction penalty applies: a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed 180 days, or both, with a separate offense for each day. Infractions carry $100 unless another penalty is specified. Failure to clear an abutting sidewalk also brings a civil citation under section 12.24.025, payable within ten days at an amount set by city council resolution, or city clearance with the cost assessed as a lien under section 12.24.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a contractor block the sidewalk in front of my house in Coeur d'Alene?
Do I need a permit to leave equipment or material on the right of way?
Who clears snow from the sidewalk?
What lights and barriers are required around an excavation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coeur d'Alene
Compare Coeur d'Alene to another location·View the Idaho sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.