Kenosha, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum sidewalk width
- 12 feet, curb to building line
- Curb clearance
- Obstruction must sit at least 2 feet off curb
- Maximum footprint
- 5 feet of curb-to-building-line depth
- Height/corner rule
- Over 3.5 feet tall needs 15 feet from corner
- Hydrant buffer
- 5-foot radius around fire hydrants stays clear
Summary
Kenosha caps how far a permitted sidewalk obstruction, such as a display rack or outdoor table, can intrude into the public right-of-way. Section 5.045(C) limits placement to sidewalks at least 12 feet wide, keeps obstructions 2 feet off the curb face, and caps footprint at 5 feet of sidewalk depth, with added height and hydrant clearances.
1.Placement of obstructions shall be limited to areas where the sidewalk width is twelve (12) feet wide from face of curb to building line.2.The obstruction shall be no closer than two (2) feet to the face of the curb.3.The obstruction shall occupy no more than five (5) feet of the area between the curb and building line.4.Portable obstructions shall be adequately secured and anchored so as to prevent them from tipping over from the wind. Table umbrellas shall be secured with a heavy ballast holder.5.Obstructions greater than three and one-half (3.5) feet in height shall be at least fifteen (15) feet from a corner sidewalk.6.Obstructions cannot extend beyond the limits of the applicant's property's street frontage.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11 Update 1 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
045(C) of the Code of General Ordinances sets the physical standards the Committee on Public Safety and Welfare uses when approving sidewalk obstructions such as display racks or sales tables. Placement is limited to stretches of sidewalk that are at least twelve feet wide from the face of the curb to the building line, and the obstruction cannot sit closer than two feet to the curb face. It cannot occupy more than five feet of the space between curb and building line, leaving a walking path for pedestrians.
Portable obstructions must be anchored so wind cannot tip them, and table umbrellas require a heavy ballast holder. Anything taller than three and one-half feet must stand at least fifteen feet back from a corner sidewalk so it does not block sightlines for drivers and pedestrians. Obstructions cannot extend beyond the width of the applicant's own street frontage, aisleways to building doors must stay clear for fire exits, and under Chapter 32, Rule 06-25, nothing may be placed within a five-foot radius of a fire hydrant connected to the Water Utility system.
The Committee on Public Safety and Welfare can add further conditions on lighting, size or duration, and it can suspend or revoke approval and order removal of any obstruction that no longer meets these placement rules, giving the holder up to ten days to request a hearing before removal except where the obstruction is an immediate hazard.
Violations & Fines
An obstruction that violates the sidewalk-width, curb-clearance, height or hydrant-radius standards in Section 5.045(C) is treated the same as an unpermitted obstruction: the Committee on Public Safety and Welfare can order it removed and, on conviction, the responsible party faces a forfeiture of up to $300 plus prosecution costs under Section 5.045(J), with up to ten days in the County Jail for nonpayment and each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide does a Kenosha sidewalk have to be before I can put out a display rack?
How close to the curb can I place a sidewalk obstruction in Kenosha?
Are there extra rules near street corners or fire hydrants in Kenosha?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha
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