Denver, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing office
- Manager of Transportation & Infrastructure
- Max administrative penalty
- $999 plus removal costs
- Loading exception
- 5 ft of sidewalk must stay clear
- Unpermitted items
- Removable immediately, no notice
- Unpaid costs
- Become a lien on owner's property
Summary
Denver bars anyone from encumbering a sidewalk, street or alley with an article, vehicle or thing, and the manager of transportation and infrastructure can remove any encumbrance and set the methods and placement allowed in the right-of-way.
The manager of transportation and infrastructure or the manager's designee (hereinafter in this article, "manager") is authorized to remove or to order the removal of any article, vehicle or thing whatsoever encumbering any street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or other public way or place (any such thing hereinafter in this article to be called an "encumbrance"). The manager may prescribe appropriate methods, specifications, placement and materials for encumbrances in the public right-of-way.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Under Article IX of Chapter 49, any article, vehicle, or thing that encumbers a street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or other public way is subject to removal on the manager's order. A previously permitted encumbrance gets notice and a reasonable window to come down; an unpermitted or illegal one can be removed immediately, without notice. Separately, Sec. 49-254 bars using a sidewalk for storing goods or merchandise outright, though items being loaded or unloaded may sit briefly if at least five feet of the sidewalk stays clear for pedestrians.
Violations & Fines
Owners of an unpermitted encumbrance, or a permitted one left up past the removal deadline, pay the removal cost plus an administrative penalty up to $999 under Sec. 49-249, and unpaid costs can become a lien on the owner's property under Sec. 49-252.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Denver remove something I left on the sidewalk without warning me?
Can a store put delivery boxes on the sidewalk while unloading?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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