Yakima County, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered
- Sidewalks, streets, drainage runoff, eviction debris
- Exception
- County-authorized events and parades
- Eviction property deadline
- 24 hours to remove from right-of-way
- Interference penalty
- Up to 90 days jail, $1,000 fine
- Enforcer
- Yakima County code enforcement division
Summary
Yakima County treats blocking a public sidewalk or street as a nuisance violation. Under the county's Property Maintenance Code, using property next to a street or sidewalk in a way that obstructs traffic or open access, including drainage runoff, debris, plant growth, or belongings left after a court-ordered eviction, is a code violation the county can order abated.
(ix) Obstructions to the public right-of-way including, but not limited to, use of property abutting a public street or sidewalk or use of a public street or sidewalk which causes any obstruction to traffic or to open access to the streets or sidewalks. This subsection shall not apply to events, parades, or the use of the streets or public rights-of-way when authorized by the county. This section includes the existence of drainage onto or over any sidewalk, street or public right-of-way, and the existence of any debris or plant growth on sidewalks adjacent to any property, and any personal property and/or solid waste that has been placed onto a public right-of-way pursuant to a court-ordered eviction per Title 59 RCW which has not been removed after twenty-four hours;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4871853; v6 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 302 of Yakima County's Property Maintenance Code defines 'Nuisance, Violation' to include, at subsection (ix), obstructions to the public right-of-way: using property abutting a public street or sidewalk, or using the street or sidewalk itself, in a way that blocks traffic or open access. The same subsection folds in drainage that runs onto or over a sidewalk, street or right-of-way, debris or plant growth on sidewalks next to any property, and personal property or solid waste left on a right-of-way after a court-ordered eviction under Title 59 RCW that isn't removed within twenty-four hours.
The definition carves out an exception for county-authorized events, parades and other approved uses of the streets. Because obstruction is defined as a nuisance rather than a building-code violation, it runs through Section 109's abatement track rather than the unsafe-structure process in Section 108. 3, and can offer a voluntary correction agreement setting a compliance deadline and a per-day penalty if it's broken. 6.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who blocks a sidewalk or street and ignores a notice of abatement faces county removal of the obstruction under Section 109.7, with the full cost, including administrative, inspection and attorney's fees, billed and filed as a lien against the property under Section 109.7.4. Knowingly hindering a county employee sent to clear the obstruction is a misdemeanor under Section 109.7.5, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for leaving a trailer or debris blocking the sidewalk in unincorporated Yakima County?
Does the county need a court order to remove an obstruction?
What happens to belongings left in the right-of-way after an eviction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
Compare Yakima County to another location·View the Washington sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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