Pleasanton, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 13.04, Encroachments, opens with a definitions section, § 13.04.010, that defines "encroach" or "encroachment" broadly to mean going over, upon or under, or using, any right-of-way in a way that prevents, obstructs or interferes with its normal use, and it lists specific acts covered: excavating or disturbing the right-of-way; erecting a flag, sign, pole, fence, guardrail, wall, or mailbox on or over it; planting a tree, shrub or grass in it; leaving rubbish, brush, earth or other material on it; constructing or maintaining a sidewalk, driveway, curb, gutter or paving within it without authorization; and moving an oversized or overweight vehicle over it without a permit.

Section 13.04.040, Permit required, then bars any person from causing such an encroachment, obstruction or impediment of any nature, or altering, excavating, or placing a structure, pipeline or fixture within a right-of-way, without first obtaining a permit under the chapter, except as specifically allowed in § 13.04.050. Section 13.04.050 lists categories that are prohibited outright and cannot be permitted at all, such as a loading dock in the right-of-way, advertising-sign support posts, underground tanks or vaults (with a public-utility exception), private-property lighting poles, flashing signs, and paint applied to paved surfaces beyond limited exceptions like traffic markings and house numbers.

Permits under this chapter are issued by the city clerk on the superintendent of streets' approval per § 13.04.100, work is limited to weekday business hours under § 13.04.070 absent emergency, and the superintendent of streets may grant a variance from the § 13.04.050 prohibited list under the conditions in § 13.04.060. City employees performing official duties, and real estate open-house directional signs placed under § 18.96.030(I), are exempted from the permit requirement by § 13.04.020.