Yuba County, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited conduct
- Loitering/standing/sitting to block a sidewalk, highway, crosswalk
- Also covers
- Blocking entrances to churches, halls, theatres, parks, § 8.40.030
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Yuba County only
- Picketing exception
- Peaceable picketing expressly exempted, § 8.40.100
- State-law reference
- Penal Code § 647, disorderly conduct
Summary
In unincorporated Yuba County it is unlawful to loiter, stand or sit on a public highway, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in a way that hinders or obstructs people or vehicles passing, or that annoys or molests passersby, under Yuba County Code § 8.40.020. The same Chapter separately bars blocking the entrance to a church, hall, theatre, park or other public assembly place.
8.40.020. - Blocking public way. It is unlawful for any person to loiter, stand, or sit in or upon any public highway, alley, sidewalk or cross walk so as to in any manner hinder or obstruct the free passage therein or thereon of persons or vehicles passing or attempting to pass along the same, or so as to in any manner annoy or molest persons passing along the same.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
020 makes it unlawful to loiter, stand, or sit in or upon any public highway, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in unincorporated Yuba County so as to hinder or obstruct the free passage of persons or vehicles, or to annoy or molest people passing along it. 40, adopted by Ordinance No. 030 separately bars loitering, standing or sitting at the entrance of, or approach to, any church, hall, theatre, park or place of public assemblage so as to obstruct that entrance or approach. The Chapter cross-references Penal Code § 647, the state disorderly-conduct statute, as its underlying state-law analogue.
080 restrict beset-and-picket conduct tied to compulsion, coercion, intimidation, threats, or violence against employees, employers, or patrons. 020, which applies regardless of the reason for the obstruction. 020.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Chapter 8.40, including blocking a sidewalk or public way under § 8.40.020, is a misdemeanor under § 8.40.090, punishable by imprisonment in the County Jail not exceeding six months, a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or both. The Yuba County Sheriff enforces the Chapter alongside other Title VIII public-peace-and-safety provisions. Each instance of obstruction can be charged separately, and the Chapter's severability clause (§ 8.40.110) keeps any one invalidated provision from voiding the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to stand around on a sidewalk in Yuba County?
Does this rule apply to protests or picket lines?
What's the penalty for blocking a sidewalk?
Does the rule cover blocking a building entrance too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yuba County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yuba County to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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