Walla Walla County, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 12.26.050.A prohibits any improvement of any kind placed, maintained or erected in or abutting a county right-of-way in a manner that obstructs or impairs its free and full use, including blocking a pedestrian's or driver's clear vision or interfering with traffic signs, poles, wires, pipes or other utility fixtures in the road; the code states this applies "whether placed by permit or without permit" and puts the improvement in the right-of-way at the owner's sole expense and risk. Section 12.26.050.B then lists specific prohibited activities: displaying goods, wares or merchandise on or above the right-of-way outside the Section 12.26.020 permit process; setting a lawn sprinkler or watering device so it throws water across a sidewalk, path or trail; letting grass or rubbish lie on any pavement, sidewalk, path or trail; and moving snow or ice from private property, including a private parking lot, onto a public sidewalk, path, trail or the traveled portion of a road or alley.

Section 12.26.060 lets the county or a franchised utility remove any of these obstructions for street or utility work without reimbursing the owner, and Section 12.26.070 requires the county engineer to give the responsible owner written notice and at least fifteen calendar days to correct a violation before forced removal. Section 12.26.080 splits the penalty: an obstruction that interferes with, befouls or renders passage dangerous is a misdemeanor under RCW 9.66.040, while any lesser violation is a civil infraction of $75 for a first offense and $250 for each later one, with the sheriff, county engineer or prosecuting attorney authorized to issue the citation.