Dubuque, IA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 10-1-4 lists several separate obstruction offenses. Subsection A bars anyone from obstructing a street, alley, sidewalk or other public place with stone, lumber, brick, wood or any other material, or from making an excavation there, without first getting written permission from the city manager. Subsection B targets fuel and merchandise left on the public way: cord wood, lumber, brick, stone or other property left on a street, alley, sidewalk or public place for more than 10 hours after the city manager has given notice to remove it is unlawful, but the code carves out an exception for merchants receiving or shipping goods, provided the material doesn't sit as an obstruction for more than 10 hours and doesn't cover more than one-third of the sidewalk's width measured from the building to the curb.

Subsection C separately makes it unlawful to obstruct a sidewalk by drawing, leading or driving a cart or vehicle onto it, or to leave a cart, vehicle or animal sitting there. Subsection D bars leaving a cellar door, grating, or vault covering open or in an insecure condition on a street or sidewalk where it could endanger the public. Because Title 10 doesn't set its own fine for these offenses, a violation of § 10-1-4 is enforced as a municipal infraction under the city's general civil penalty schedule at Dubuque City Code § 1-4-2.