Broward County, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- before any right-of-way obstruction
- Permitting office
- Broward County Engineering Division
- Construction deadline
- 180 days after approval
- Restoration cost
- borne solely by the owner
- Utility applicants
- must protect wheelchair sidewalk access
Summary
Broward County requires a permit from its Engineering Division before anyone obstructs, interferes with, or places objects on county-jurisdiction property, including rights-of-way and sidewalks, and utility applicants must show the obstruction won't block wheelchair access.
(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to obstruct, interfere with, or to place any object or material on any property under jurisdiction of the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County without having first obtained a permit from the board. (b) ...proposed obstructions will not unreasonably interfere with the use of sidewalks by wheelchair-bound persons.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 21-18 of the Broward County Code, obstructing, interfering with, or placing any object or material on property under the Board of County Commissioners' jurisdiction, rights-of-way, roads, ditches, drains, canals and easements per Sec. 21-17(b), is unlawful without a prior permit. Applications go to the Broward County Engineering Division with a fee set by board resolution (Sec. 21-19); construction must start within 180 days or a new application is required. Owners bear the sole cost of restoring or replacing an obstruction the county later disturbs (Sec. 21-19(b)). Power and telephone companies applying for a permit must additionally show their proposed obstruction won't unreasonably block sidewalk use by wheelchair users (Sec. 21-18(b)).
Violations & Fines
Violating the Article II permit requirement is punishable as provided by law (Sec. 21-23); an unpermitted obstruction can also be disturbed or removed by the county with restoration cost falling on the owner under Sec. 21-19(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a fence, sign, or equipment in the county right-of-way without asking?
Does this permit rule apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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