Kern County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

010 sets the basic rule: it is unlawful to obstruct any part of the sidewalks of any town in the county by means of personal property for a longer period than one hour each day, except as allowed for trade and convenience. That trade exception is narrow: it lets a sidewalk be utilized for trade and convenience purposes only "not to exceed three (3) feet from the inner part of such sidewalks next to the building lots adjoining the sidewalks," meaning a shop cannot spread displays across the full sidewalk width even during the permitted trade use.

030 makes it an infraction to let water from a pipe, drain or hose run across a sidewalk, street or alley so as to injure it or interfere with travel, though a reasonable amount of water used to clean a sidewalk is exempted, and the roads director may permit drainage discharge through a curb and gutter conduit in an approved drainage area. 060 separately prohibit fishing or loitering on county bridges and parapeted culverts over streams, creeks, canals or sloughs, enforced once the road commissioner posts appropriate warning signs.