Fitchburg, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 27, Article III of the Fitchburg, Wisconsin Code of Ordinances regulates construction, obstruction, and occupancy of the city's public rights-of-way, which the code defines broadly to include the surface and space above, below, and adjacent to every public roadway, highway, street, bicycle lane, and sidewalk the city has an interest in. Section 27-149 defines "obstruct" as placing any object in a right-of-way so as to hinder free and open passage over any part of it. Section 27-255(a), in the Temporary Permits division, requires anyone who wants to occupy or obstruct a right-of-way for a reason other than construction, excavation, or similar acts covered elsewhere in the article to apply for a temporary occupancy permit from the department of public works, listing the applicant's contact information, the purpose, the exact location, and the proposed dates.

Section 27-255(b) caps a temporary occupancy or obstruction permit at three days unless the applicant gives the director of public works written justification for a longer term, in which case the director may authorize up to 30 days. The department charges a fee for the permit under the annual fee schedule and decides whether to grant or deny it based on the article's stated purposes of keeping rights-of-way open for public services and safe for public use. This permit system sits alongside, and is separate from, the excavation permit required under Section 27-206 for anyone digging into a right-of-way.