Cook County, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing article
- Ch. 66, Art. III, Div. 3
- Permit issuer
- Cook County Highway Department
- Fine range
- $100.00–$1,000.00 per offense
- Chicago carve-out
- Excluded, City permits its own ways
- Continuing violation
- Each day is a separate offense
Summary
Placing materials, equipment, devices or structures in a Cook County-jurisdiction public way, including sidewalks, without a Highway Department permit is banned under Sec. 66-65, with fines of $100 to $1,000 per day, county-wide except within Chicago.
No person shall perform any work in the public way, including construction, reconstruction, upgrading, replacement, removal, relocation, modification or maintenance of any facilities, ... or place materials, equipment, devices, or structures in the public way (whether temporary or permanent) which, in the reasonable judgment of the Highway Department, will or may obstruct the public way, until such person has obtained a permit in accordance with this Division 3.
Full Breakdown
Cook County's Public Way Regulatory Ordinance (Ch. 66, Art. III) requires anyone doing work in or placing anything in a public way under County jurisdiction or control, a term the Code defines to include sidewalks, to first get a Highway Department permit if the placement will or may obstruct the way. This covers construction, excavation, and leaving materials, equipment, devices or structures, temporary or permanent, in the right-of-way. The rule applies County-wide on roads and sidewalks the County controls, but not inside the City of Chicago, which licenses and permits its own public ways separately under Sec. 66-51.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted obstruction is a violation of Article III, enforced through Ch. 2's administrative hearing process; the Superintendent or Director may fine $100.00 to $1,000.00 per offense, with each day the obstruction continues counted as a separate offense (Sec. 66-91).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to sidewalks in Chicago?
What counts as an obstruction needing a permit?
How much is the fine for an unpermitted obstruction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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