Richmond, VA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Richmond City Code § 24-25 makes any unauthorized encroachment or unauthorized use of a street, sidewalk, or public way, including space below, on, or above the surface, unlawful and a legal nuisance that the city may abate by any lawful means. Section 24-1 defines encroachment broadly to include sidewalk crossings such as driveways and carriage walks, areaways, coal chutes, loading doors, skylights, vents, oil fillers, utility service vaults, walls, signage, and awnings. Under Section 24-27, an unauthorized encroachment must first be abated by the responsible owner after reasonable notice; if the owner does not comply, the Chief Administrative Officer arranges removal without any liability to the city for damages, and the abatement costs are assessed against the owner and collected the same way as delinquent city taxes.

Section 24-28 layers on a separate use charge equal to the real estate tax that would apply if the occupied land were privately owned, also collectible as a tax. A related rule, Section 24-26, makes it separately unlawful to keep an encroachment in place, or continue a use, after the city has given reasonable notice that the authorization for it has been revoked; that failure is itself treated as a nuisance subject to abatement.