San Antonio, TX Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

In unincorporated Bexar County, sidewalks and public rights-of-way must remain passable for pedestrians under general state nuisance law and ADA federal requirements. Common violations include parking a vehicle across a sidewalk, leaving trash or recycling bins on the walking path for more than 24 hours after pickup, overgrown hedges or low tree limbs reducing vertical clearance below 7 feet, and construction materials or dumpsters placed without a right-of-way permit. Although the county does not have a detailed municipal sidewalk ordinance like larger Texas cities, Bexar County Public Works may require removal of any obstruction that creates a hazard or prevents accessible passage of at least 36 inches of clear width. Texas Transportation Code 552 gives pedestrians the right-of-way on sidewalks, and blocking a sidewalk with a vehicle is a traffic violation. Temporary obstructions for moving, construction, or events require advance coordination and a right-of-way use permit. HOAs also often enforce landscaping setbacks. Persistent obstructions can escalate to citations from constables or the sheriff.