Rothschild, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 470-5A requires a written permit from the Village Board before anyone places dirt, coal, stone, timber, plank, board or other building materials in or upon a sidewalk, street, alley or public square. Section 470-5B goes further, barring brush, fence material, wood, dirt, stone, rubbish, glass, bottles, crockery, nails, tacks, metal pieces, wire and briar thorn, or anything else that would interfere with the public's convenient use of a sidewalk or street or that could injure a person, an animal, or a bicycle or vehicle tire.

If such material shows up, the Village Board or its officers can order the responsible party, or whoever placed it, to remove it within a window the ordinance sets at not less than five nor more than 30 days from service of the order; the Chief of Police or the Village Engineer serves that order, and the person must remove the material at their own expense within the deadline. Section 470-5C separately regulates businesses, barring boxes, barrels or displayed merchandise directly exposed to the street or sidewalk in front of a storefront except as allowed under the Village's sign ordinance, Chapter 590, Article XVIII.

Section 470-5D, added in 2002, adds a general nuisance-style ban on obstructing streets, sidewalks, bridges or public ways with any activity, including sports or exercise, that prevents or hinders pedestrian or vehicle passage or blocks access to a business or property. A 2008 addition at Section 470-5E caps railroad obstruction of a street, alley or sidewalk crossing at five minutes, except during accident-related track maintenance.