Harrisburg, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 3-357 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, covers streets and sidewalks, and § 3-357.7 is its obstruction rule. Subsection A bans the construction, maintenance or placing of any permanent or temporary structure, encroachment, advertising sign or obstruction upon or over any sidewalk of a public street in the City, other than what the Building Code and the Zoning Code permit.

The first exception covers owners and occupants of abutting property. They can place temporary obstructions, such as tables and display racks, on the sidewalk immediately abutting their own property, or on the sidewalk abutting another property with the permission of that owner or occupant, as long as the item does not interfere with the rights of the public to traverse the sidewalk safely and conveniently. Sidewalk dining is handled separately: the abutting owner or occupant must obtain a permit from the Bureau of Codes Enforcement before placing tables and chairs from which food and beverage are dispensed, and the establishment has to operate in full compliance with all statutes, ordinances and applicable regulations.

Subsection B adds a second exception that requires prior approval from the Codes Administrator. With that approval, an ornamental light or standard, a telephone booth, a newsstand that is removable each day, decorative flowers or shrubbery placed within two feet of the building line on a sidewalk 10 feet or more in width, and boxes or other receptacles for the collection of trash and rubbish can stand on the sidewalk, and again only if they do not interfere with safe and convenient public travel.

Subsection C sets the removal duty. The owner, lessee or person in possession of an obstruction in violation of the section must remove it immediately on receiving notice from the Codes Administrator or designee. If it stays, that person is subject to prosecution, and the Chief of Police or a designee is directed to promptly cause the obstruction to be removed. A separate section, § 9-309.6, makes it unlawful to obstruct any sidewalk or street with a refuse or waste receptacle.