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

Porterville Municipal Code section 20-1 makes it unlawful to obstruct any street, alley or sidewalk with machinery, vehicles or merchandise, or in any other manner, so as to impede, delay or endanger travel. The same section bans riding or driving, or causing to be ridden or driven, horses, mules, hogs, sheep, cattle, bicycles or other vehicles on any city sidewalk. A violation is charged as a misdemeanor, carrying a fine up to five hundred dollars or imprisonment up to six months, or both, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.

The code gives the prosecuting attorney the option to recommend that the trial court reduce the charge from a misdemeanor to an infraction; infraction fines are tiered at up to fifty dollars for a first violation, up to one hundred dollars for a second violation within one year, and up to two hundred fifty dollars for each additional violation within that year. Licensed walking-type pushcart vendors operating under section 15-8 are exempted from this obstruction section as long as their carts do not endanger travel, which distinguishes Porterville's sidewalk-vending accommodation from a blanket obstruction ban.