Westminster, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Bans
- displaying/storing goods on sidewalk or parking strip
- Also covers
- dedicated or easement rights-of-way
- Trash cutoff
- not before 6 p.m. day before pickup
- Trash removal deadline
- by 11:59 p.m. pickup day
- Default penalty
- misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine/6 months jail
Summary
Westminster bars using any public sidewalk, the parking strip between sidewalk and curb, or a dedicated roadway easement to display or store goods for sale under Municipal Code Section 12.16.010. The same chapter separately regulates trash placement timing on the public right-of-way.
No person shall use any public sidewalk, or that space between the public sidewalks and curb or curbway commonly known as parking, or that space between the private property line and roadway which has been dedicated or irrevocably offered for dedication, or to which a deed of easement has been granted to the city or country as a public street, road or highway, or any part thereof, for displaying, for sale or for any other purpose, any goods or articles; or leave any goods, boxes, trunks, barrels or any containers or any other articles in said area or areas, as hereinabove described, for a longer time than is necessary for the removal thereof from or to the place of business or residence or transporting vehicle to which same is intended to be moved; provided, that this chapter shall not apply to building projections or fixtures otherwise regulated by ordinance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4982734; v10 updated 2026-06-10).
Full Breakdown
010 bars using a public sidewalk, the strip of land between the sidewalk and curb known as the "parking," or any private right-of-way dedicated, offered for dedication, or granted by deed of easement to the city as a public street, road or highway, for displaying or selling goods, or for leaving boxes, trunks, barrels or other containers or articles there any longer than necessary to move them to or from a place of business, residence or transporting vehicle. The section exempts building projections or fixtures that are separately regulated by other ordinances.
on pickup day; between pickups, trash containers must be stored so they're not visible from the street. 010: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to one thousand dollars, up to six months in county jail, or both, unless the city attorney elects to prosecute it as an infraction, which carries fines of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further offense within that year.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 12.16 carries no citation-specific fine, so violations default to Section 1.12.010's citywide schedule: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in county jail, or, at the city attorney's discretion, an infraction with fines of $100, $200 and $500 for a first, second and later offense within one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Westminster business display merchandise on the sidewalk?
When can I put my trash cans out in Westminster?
What's the penalty for blocking a Westminster sidewalk with merchandise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westminster
California rules heatmap·Compare Westminster to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle obstruction rules.