Midland, TX Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Clear width required
- 60% or 4 ft
- Clear height required
- 7 ft minimum
- Who's presumed liable
- Abutting property owner
- Permit authority
- City Manager or Council
Summary
Midland presumes anything blocking more than 40 percent or four feet of a sidewalk's width, or hanging lower than seven feet overhead, is an illegal right-of-way obstruction unless the City Manager has issued a permit.
For the purposes of this subsection, it shall be presumed that any matter extending over a public sidewalk so as not to leave at least 60 percent or four feet, whichever is more, of the width of the sidewalk in contiguous feet clear to a height of at least seven feet above sidewalk level obstructs that sidewalk and is neither acceptable nor permittable under this subsection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 10-1-10 bars placing nonnaturally-occurring material or plants on city-held rights-of-way without a permit from the City Manager or Council. To decide whether something obstructs a sidewalk, the Code presumes a violation whenever less than 60 percent (or four feet, whichever is greater) of the sidewalk's width isn't left clear to a height of at least seven feet. The abutting property owner is presumed responsible for anything violating this rule, though the presumption can be rebutted with evidence. The City Manager can remove offending material, and each day the obstruction continues is a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted obstructions can be removed by the City Manager; each day is a separate offense, punishable by a fine up to $500 under Sec. 1-3-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my landlord or I responsible if something blocks the sidewalk in front of my Midland rental?
Can the City remove something blocking a Midland sidewalk without a hearing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Midland to another location·View the Texas sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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