Saint Paul, MN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Legislative Code § 106.01(a)
- Minimum clear path
- 48 inches, exclusive of the curb
- Banned items
- Building materials, carts, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts, awnings
- Café exception
- Requires license plus right-of-way obstruction permit
- Sign exception
- Compliant sidewalk sign under subsection (d) only
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Works
Summary
Saint Paul bars anyone from piling building materials, carts, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts, awnings or 'any other materials or substance whatever' onto a public sidewalk, alley or right-of-way under Legislative Code § 106.01(a). The rule locks in a minimum 48-inch clear pedestrian walk-through zone at all times, with narrow carve-outs for compliant sidewalk signs and permitted sidewalk cafés.
(2)No person shall encumber or obstruct any sidewalk, lane, alley, public ground, public landing, wharf or pier, or other public place by placing thereon or therein any building materials, carriages, carts, wagons, sleighs, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts, awnings, signs, or any other materials or substance whatever. No person shall operate a sidewalk café without a license and a right-of-way obstruction permit issued by City of Saint Paul. A sidewalk sign in compliance with subsection (d) may be placed upon the public sidewalk.(3)A minimum width of forty-eight (48) inches of clear, unobstructed pedestrian walk-through zone, exclusive of the curb, shall be maintained on the public sidewalk at all times.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 106's obstruction rule opens by stating its purpose plainly: a public sidewalk's primary job is safe pedestrian travel, and the chapter exists to protect that use at all times. ' Two narrow carve-outs exist: a compliant sidewalk sign under subsection (d) may sit on the sidewalk, and a business may operate a sidewalk café, but only after obtaining both a license and a separate right-of-way obstruction permit from the city. 01(a)(3) sets the hard physical floor underneath all of this, a minimum 48-inch clear, unobstructed pedestrian walk-through zone, measured exclusive of the curb, must be maintained on every public sidewalk at all times, regardless of what temporary or permanent use is otherwise authorized nearby.
04. Encroachments involving a raised planter bed or boulevard garden instead run through the Chapter 116 encroachment-permit process referenced elsewhere in the boulevard rules, not this obstruction section.
Violations & Fines
§ 106.01(a) doesn't set out its own fine schedule in the text quoted, but obstructing a public sidewalk without an applicable permit or license, including operating a sidewalk café without both a license and a right-of-way obstruction permit, is a Legislative Code violation the Department of Public Works and Department of Safety and Inspections can act on, including ordering removal of the obstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a display rack or planter on the sidewalk in front of my Saint Paul business?
Is a sidewalk café allowed under the obstruction rule?
What's the minimum walking space that must stay clear?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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