Roseville, MN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 703.10 of the Roseville City Code is a single sentence, and it is written broadly. It prohibits the obstruction or blocking of city owned non-motorized pathways, sidewalks, or designated bicycle routes, and the phrase "by any means" removes any limit on how the blockage happens. Because the sentence continues "including, but not limited to", the two named examples, parked vehicles and stored snow, do not mark the outer edge of the rule.

The section protects city owned walkways and designated bicycle routes. It sets no minimum clear width, no time limit and no distance, so the test is simply whether the pathway is obstructed or blocked.

Chapter 703 is the Public Way Management chapter. Under § 703.09(a), the public works director is the enforcing officer for the chapter, with the power to issue, deny or revoke any permit and to institute appropriate actions against a violator in the name of the city. Appeals from the director's decisions on granting and revoking permits go to the city council and must be taken within 20 days of the decision (§ 703.09(b)).

Other sections cover neighboring ground. Section 405.03(12) declares a public nuisance any use of a public street or sidewalk that causes large crowds to gather and obstruct traffic and the free use of public streets or sidewalks, except where permitted by the city, and § 405.03(13) reaches peddling or soliciting that obstructs the free flow of pedestrian traffic on a sidewalk. Section 405.03(10) covers wires, tree limbs and other vegetation close enough to a public non-motorized pathway, street or alley to impede the safe passage of pedestrians and bicyclists. Section 705.09(4) requires pruning to nine feet over sidewalks. For private walks, § 906.05(b)(3) requires sidewalks, walkways and driveways to be kept in a proper state of repair and free from hazardous conditions.