Fayetteville, NC Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Code of Ordinances § 24-18 declares it unlawful for an individual to impede the use of a street or highway, or to block a sidewalk or public passageway, or place any object that blocks one; if an object blocks the passageway, a law enforcement officer or designee may promptly dispose of it where practicable. It's likewise unlawful to block the entrance or exit to a building served by a sidewalk or street unless the owner or tenant has granted permission, which may be shown verbally or in writing.

'Block' is defined as any person or object preventing free passage through a sidewalk, passageway, or building entrance/exit, and 'impede' means rendering use of a street or sidewalk unreasonably difficult or dangerous. The section exempts loading or unloading a stopped, lawfully parked vehicle that doesn't block passage, first responders, actions taken in an emergency or to prevent an accident, and anyone acting under a City-issued permit or another government permit. S. 1 (pedestrians in the roadway) and only reaches streets, sidewalks and passageways not under North Carolina Board of Transportation control.

S. 00. The ordinance took effect May 26, 2025 under Ord. No. S2025-001 and was amended by Ord. No. S2025-009. Separately, § 24-19 makes property owners abutting a street responsible for keeping adjoining sidewalks in good repair and free of grass, weeds and rank growth, and § 24-7 bars leaving boxes, crates, barrels or building material in a street, alley or on a sidewalk without the city engineer's written permission.