Pocatello, ID Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 12.20, Street Obstruction, is the City's general rule against blocking public rights of way. Section 12.20.020 makes it unlawful for any person to injure or obstruct, or cause to be injured or obstructed, any public thoroughfare, or to dig upon one anywhere within city limits except as this chapter allows, or to place or leave, or permit to be placed or left, any vehicle, lumber, timber, or other article in a public thoroughfare so as to obstruct or interfere with public use. That reaches everyday encroachments such as a parked trailer, stored lumber, or a dumpster left blocking a sidewalk or street.

Section 12.20.010 addresses the construction-related version of the same problem: keeping or using any part of a public street, sidewalk, or alley to place building material, erect scaffolding, or store equipment connected with a building project requires a permit from the engineer plus a bond, capped at five thousand dollars, protecting the City from claims arising out of the use. The permit sets the maximum time the street or alley may be used and any limits the engineer sets to protect traffic and public convenience, and the engineer or mayor can revoke it at any time for noncompliance or if the public interest requires it.