Lee's Summit, MO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

City Code § 26-2 makes it unlawful, unless otherwise permitted by law, to place, create or maintain any obstruction in any part of the City's right-of-way, improved or unimproved, without written approval of the City Engineer. The same section separately bars placing an object on private property that threatens public health, safety or welfare within the right-of-way, and bars building a platform or other structure in or over a street or sidewalk except for temporary obstructions necessary for erecting improvements or making repairs, and only when the City Engineer has approved them in writing. Section 26-2 also prohibits pushing or plowing snow by motor vehicle from private property onto any public road or street, except by City employees acting within the scope of their duties or persons with the City Engineer's written approval.

When an obstruction violates the section, the City may remove and dispose of it after giving ten days' written notice, delivered by mail or by affixing the notice to the obstruction itself. If the City Engineer determines the obstruction is an immediate threat to public health, safety or welfare, the City may remove it immediately without any notice at all. A property owner may contest a removal by filing a written appeal with the Director of Public Works, who then determines whether the obstruction actually violated the Code section.

Beyond removal, a violator is liable to the City for all removal costs and damages, on top of the general penalty in Section 1-13(A): a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.