Texas City, TX Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Two sections of the Texas City Code of Ordinances carry the core obstruction rules. Section 90.005 is short and broad: it is unlawful for any person to impede or cause to be impeded the safe and free passage of persons or vehicles along the streets. The wording reaches a person who causes someone else to block the way, not only the person standing in it.

Section 90.007 targets commercial use of the public way. It is unlawful to obstruct or occupy any street or sidewalk with any bootblack stand, booth, display case or other frame structure for the purpose of displaying any merchandise or carrying on any business or occupation. The same section bars allowing any boxes or merchandise to remain on any sidewalk so as to obstruct the free passage thereof. A shop that sets racks or crates on the public sidewalk in front of its door falls under this rule once they block passage.

The permit sections sit beside the obstruction rules. Under § 90.008, placing materials, boxes or other objects in or upon a street, alley or sidewalk needs the Building Official's written permission first, and § 90.004 requires a permit for a fence, wall, hedge or structure over, on or across a sidewalk or public way. Section 90.010 separately makes it unlawful to interfere with or obstruct any public improvements authorized by the City Commission, the Mayor or the Director of Public Works by threats, coercion, duress or any other method, directly or indirectly. Section 90.009 bars impeding the free flow of water through a ditch.

Each of §§ 90.005 and 90.007 ends with a penalty reference to § 10.99, the city's general penalty section.