Rochester Hills, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 94-30(b) of the Rochester Hills Code flatly prohibits placing or maintaining any article, thing or obstruction in any street except as specifically permitted elsewhere in Chapter 94's Article II. The prohibition covers the full right-of-way as defined in section 94-26, which reaches the entire width of any property subject to a public right-of-way easement, not just the paved travel lane. A narrow carve-out lets temporary obstructions pass if they are incidental to the expeditious movement of vehicles and things to and from abutting premises, and it does not stop lawful parking where parking is permitted and unsigned.

Section 94-30 also separately bars excavating or damaging any street (subsection (a)) and suspending anything above a street without authorization (subsection (c)). The director of the Department of Public Services administers permits for any obstruction that does not fall under the exemption, and section 94-42 requires a permit, cash deposit and insurance policy before occupying a street with materials or machinery incidental to construction. Under section 94-42(d), the city may remove an encroachment or obstruction and refill any excavation, then bill the abutting landowner for the cost through the special-assessment collection procedure in section 90-30.