Peoria, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Sec. 26-11 sets the baseline rule: the streets, avenues, alleys and sidewalks of the city shall be kept free and clear of all encumbrances and encroachments for the use of the public, and may not be used or occupied except as Chapter 26 provides. Sec. 26-16 spells out enforcement: the owner of any building, fence, porch, steps, gallery or other obstruction placed upon a street, alley, sidewalk or public ground must remove it within a reasonable time after written notice from the director of public works.

If the owner refuses or neglects to remove it for ten days after that notice, the obstruction is deemed a nuisance and the director may remove it himself, recovering the removal expense from the owner; if the owner cannot be readily found, the obstruction is likewise deemed a nuisance and removed. Sec. 26-16(c) separately bans large items of personal property, other than motor vehicles, including portable basketball hoops, on city streets and rights-of-way; unmarked items are treated as abandoned and subject to removal by police or public works, while marked items get reasonable notice before removal, and the city may instead relocate marked property onto the owner's land.

00 per offense. 00 fee covering removal and storage, and may request a hearing before a city manager designee within 21 days to contest the removal.