Cobb County, GA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 106-10 of the Cobb County Code of Ordinances, titled "Pavement cuts, utility work; permission, restoration, obstructions," is the county's core sidewalk and right-of-way encroachment rule for unincorporated territory. Subsection (a) requires any utility, contractor, firm, or individual to get approval from the county Department of Transportation before starting pavement cuts, curb cuts, or utility repairs or installations on county rights-of-way, with allowances only for emergency conditions or maintenance activities. Subsection (b) then requires the party who did that work to repair the affected pavement or right-of-way to the department's satisfaction and to its filed work specifications.

Subsection (c) is the general obstruction rule: rights-of-way, which under this chapter's title expressly covers sidewalks, must be kept clear of any form of unnecessary obstruction, and anyone without written DOT permission who places a structure or material, including junk or debris, in the right-of-way is subject to legal action and/or prosecution as provided by law. Utilities defined under section 106-3(b)(1) must also follow the separate utility accommodation policy in sections 106-3 and 106-4. section 15-10-60, and continuing violations are treated as a nuisance that the county can abate through injunctive or other equitable relief in addition to any fine.

Section 106-10 was most recently amended November 20, 2025. This rule governs only the unincorporated county; Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, and Austell each enforce their own municipal right-of-way and sidewalk codes within their city limits.