Montgomery, AL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Sec. 18-205 sits in chapter 18's division on public demonstrations and miscellaneous public order provisions, but its text is written broadly: it is unlawful for any person or number of persons to stand, loiter, walk, or run upon any street so as to obstruct free passage. Sec. 18-201 defines 'street,' for purposes of this same division, to mean any public street or public avenue, public road or public alley or sidewalk of the city, so the obstruction ban in Sec. 18-205 reaches sidewalk blockage, not just travel lanes.

The section also makes it unlawful to stand or loiter on a street after a police officer has asked the person to move on, giving officers direct authority to clear a blocked sidewalk or walkway on the spot rather than waiting to prove obstruction after the fact. A third clause bars any person participating in a demonstration from lying prone on a street or in a public place, unless sickness or physical incapacity is the reason. The obstruction ban traces to Code 1980, § 34-5, and its state law reference notes it parallels Code of Ala.

1975, § 13A-11-7(a)(5), which separately makes obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic a state offense. Because the ban is not limited to organized demonstrations, it also covers ordinary sidewalk blockage by vendors, loiterers, or anyone else obstructing a public walkway.