Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Alabama (2026)
24 rules on the books across Alabama, 10 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Sidewalk Repair
Who pays for sidewalk repair, the city or the property owner, including cost-sharing programs, inspection triggers, and timelines for fixing damaged sidewalks.
Auburn
Some RestrictionsWhoever damages a section of public sidewalk, curb or gutter in Auburn must replace it entirely and restore it to…
Read full rule →Bessemer
Some RestrictionsBessemer puts sidewalk repair on the abutting property owner and occupant, not the city. Once the street superintendent…
Read full rule →Birmingham
Some RestrictionsBirmingham puts the burden of fixing a broken or dangerous sidewalk on the abutting property owner, not the city. Once…
Read full rule →Huntsville
Some RestrictionsIn Huntsville, the owner of the property a sidewalk fronts, not the city, must keep that sidewalk in proper repair at…
Read full rule →Mobile
Some RestrictionsMobile, Alabama places the duty to keep sidewalks in repair on the owner of the abutting property, not the city, and…
Read full rule →Tuscaloosa
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa requires all sidewalks to be repaired once the city has actual or constructive notice of a defect, per City…
Read full rule →Vestavia Hills
Some RestrictionsVestavia Hills Code of Ordinances § 11-11 puts a maintenance duty directly on the abutting owner or occupant: keep the…
Read full rule →Obstruction Rules
What you can and cannot place on sidewalks, including newspaper boxes, planters, sandwich boards, trash cans, and minimum pedestrian clearance widths.
Bessemer
Heavy RestrictionsBessemer bans putting showcases or advertising displays on any sidewalk outright, with no permit option, and requires…
Read full rule →Mobile
Significant RestrictionsMobile bars anyone from blocking a public sidewalk by standing, sitting, lying, or placing objects so pedestrians must…
Read full rule →Birmingham
Some RestrictionsBirmingham's general obstruction ordinance bars anyone from blocking a street or sidewalk with an animal, vehicle…
Read full rule →Huntsville
Some RestrictionsHuntsville bans encumbering a street or sidewalk with goods, merchandise, lumber, fuel, or any obstruction without a…
Read full rule →Montgomery
Some RestrictionsMontgomery makes it unlawful to stand, loiter, walk, or run on a public street so as to block free passage, and the…
Read full rule →Tuscaloosa
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa bans obstructing or encumbering any street or sidewalk with goods, merchandise, lumber, fuel, or any other…
Read full rule →Vestavia Hills
Some RestrictionsCode Sec. 15-9 bans leaving rocks, stones or other obstructions on any paved public street, alley or road, including…
Read full rule →Encroachment Permits
Permits required when construction, landscaping, or other activities temporarily or permanently encroach on public sidewalks or rights-of-way.
Auburn
Significant RestrictionsBefore any furniture, divider, or fixture can be permanently installed, affixed, or attached to an Auburn sidewalk or…
Read full rule →Lee County
Significant RestrictionsAnyone connecting a driveway, road or other access point to a Lee County-maintained road must first obtain a written…
Read full rule →Vestavia Hills
Significant RestrictionsBuilding a driveway across a public sidewalk, street or parkway in Vestavia Hills requires a written permit from the…
Read full rule →Bessemer
Some RestrictionsBefore anyone blocks a Bessemer street, sidewalk or other public way, even temporarily, they need a permit from the…
Read full rule →Birmingham
Some RestrictionsAnyone building a driveway, paved sidewalk, sidewalk opening or vault under a Birmingham sidewalk needs a written…
Read full rule →Hoover
Some RestrictionsCutting a street or disturbing city right-of-way in Hoover requires a $500 permit plus a refundable surety deposit…
Read full rule →Huntsville
Some RestrictionsDigging, opening, or otherwise encroaching into a Huntsville street or sidewalk without city sign-off is illegal. Sec…
Read full rule →Mobile
Some RestrictionsMobile requires a right-of-way permit, major, minor, small project, or landscape, before anyone constructs in or…
Read full rule →Montgomery
Some RestrictionsMontgomery, Alabama bars any building feature from projecting into the public right-of-way above grade and below 8 feet…
Read full rule →Tuscaloosa
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa requires a right-of-way permit before anyone installs a bollard, chain, fence or other barrier on city…
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