Portland, ME Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 25, Division 2 of Portland's streets and sidewalks code governs objects placed in the public way. Sec. 25-26(a) bars any person from placing, causing to be placed, or suspending over a street, way or public place any article or thing, expressly including portable sidewalk signs, without a duly authorized permit issued under the division. The section carves out two narrow exceptions from the ordinary sidewalk-occupancy permit: street artists selling artwork from a table, and individuals tabling for noncommercial First Amendment activity such as political or religious literature or petition-gathering, referencing Sec.

19-24(a)(1),(2),(5) and (6), except when a declared festival or approved event requires its own sidewalk occupancy permit. Sec. 25-26(b) separately requires an outdoor dining permit before any food service establishment expands service onto a street, way or public place. Sec. 25-26(c) then lets business owners place benches or flower pots on the sidewalk without any permit at all, but only directly in front of their own business, only during business hours, and only if at least four feet of open sidewalk remains for pedestrians to pass freely.

Sec. 20 per square foot of signage for portable signs, with sign area calculated under Sec. 14-369(b) of the Land Use Code. 7 and was most recently amended by Ord. No. 26-11/12 on August 15, 2011.