Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Minnesota (2026)
20 rules on the books across Minnesota, 9 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.
Maple Grove
Some RestrictionsAbutting property owners in Maple Grove must keep public sidewalks repaired and safe, and the city can fix an unsafe…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis property owners must build, reconstruct, and keep in good repair the sidewalk along their land; if a walk…
Read full rule →Rochester
Some RestrictionsProperty owners and occupants adjoining a public sidewalk in Rochester must keep it clear of snow, ice, dirt and…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsRepairing or replacing a public sidewalk in Saint Paul is not a do-it-yourself job: Legislative Code § 121.01 bars…
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.
Anoka County
Some RestrictionsAnoka County's Right of Way Ordinance requires a permit before anyone obstructs a county road, boulevard, trail or…
Read full rule →Carver County
Some RestrictionsObstructing or excavating a Carver County right-of-way, including a public sidewalk, without first getting a permit is…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Some RestrictionsMaple Grove orders unauthorized obstructions on streets and sidewalks removed on notice, and if the responsible party…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis bars anyone from erecting structures or leaving boxes, lumber, barrels, carts, or similar items on any…
Read full rule →Rochester
Some RestrictionsRochester makes it a misdemeanor to obstruct a sidewalk, street or other public thoroughfare, defined in Code § 9-1-3…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul bars anyone from piling building materials, carts, boxes, lumber, firewood, posts, awnings or 'any other…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsPlacing any object in a Washington County road right-of-way, including public sidewalks and trails, so it hinders free…
Read full rule →Woodbury
Some RestrictionsWoodbury bans placing any structure, fence, goods or landscaping in the public right-of-way or road easement that…
Read full rule →Encroachment Permits
Permits required when construction, landscaping, or other activities temporarily or permanently encroach on public sidewalks or rights-of-way.
Hennepin County
Significant RestrictionsHennepin County requires a right-of-way permit before anyone obstructs, works in, or places facilities within county…
Read full rule →Carver County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Carver County, anyone who wants to obstruct or excavate a public right-of-way, which by definition…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Some RestrictionsMaple Grove requires an obstruction permit before placing building materials, structures, or other items on any street…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis requires a city engineer-issued encroachment permit before any structure, projection, or areaway extends…
Read full rule →Rochester
Some RestrictionsRochester requires a permit before anyone obstructs, excavates in, or encroaches on a public right-of-way, under Code §…
Read full rule →Saint Paul
Some RestrictionsBuilding or maintaining anything that projects into a Saint Paul public right-of-way, retaining walls, areaways…
Read full rule →Washington County
Some RestrictionsAnyone who wants to place a structure, signage, utility connection, or other private improvement in a Washington County…
Read full rule →Woodbury
Some RestrictionsAnyone who wants to excavate or obstruct a Woodbury public right-of-way, including the boulevard next to a sidewalk…
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