Royal Oak, MI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Article III of Chapter 650 makes it unlawful, under § 650-7A, for anyone to disrupt, obstruct, overhang or encumber a highway, alley, public place, sidewalk or crosswalk, or to install, bury, place, deposit or abandon items there, unless the City has approved, licensed or permitted it. Subsection (1) lists the obstructions by name: animals, boxes, barrels, posts, fences, buildings, building materials, dirt, mud, boulders, rocks, stones, signs, coal, bricks, rubbish, portable restroom facilities, portable storage containers, roll-off trash containers, cranes, lifts, scaffolds, planters, pots, timbers, walls and 'any other material or thing whatsoever.' The same section separately bans snow shoveled or plowed from private property onto the right-of-way, excessive plant growth or debris overhanging the walk, and parking any vehicle in the space.

The Community Development Department can carve out exceptions through a license or permit for outdoor dining, sidewalk cafes, or sidewalk and sandwich-board signs under § 650-7B, so a permitted obstruction is not a violation. Enforcement runs through § 650-7C: whoever created the obstruction, whether owner, occupant, builder or contractor, must remove it immediately if it is hazardous, or within 24 hours of notice from the City Engineer if it is not, and if it stays past that window, the City Engineer removes or disposes of it and holds it until the owner pays the removal cost plus any fine or fee.