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

400 of the Riverside Municipal Code, most recently amended by Ordinance 7548 in 2021, regulates what may be left in the public right-of-way. Subsection F, 'Sidewalk obstructions. , any structure or object that may potentially represent a hazard or obstruction to an able-bodied or disabled person traversing the sidewalk; the section carves out an express exception for items set out for scheduled refuse or recycling collection. Subsection G goes further and reaches encroachments at any hour: if a vehicle, object, structure, construction material, or construction equipment is placed or left on a public street, sidewalk, roadway, pedestrian way, or bicycle path without the Public Works Director's written permission, the Code declares it a public nuisance outright.

The Public Works Director or a designee is authorized to remove it, but if the responsible person is present, the Director must first warn them that they are in violation and give them a chance to move the item themselves before city crews haul it away. 120(C). Violations of the section as a whole are punishable, per subsection I, as a misdemeanor or infraction chargeable at the City Attorney's discretion, and subsection J confirms the provisions are severable if any part is struck down.