Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Ch. 12.13 Street and Sidewalk Obstructions

When used in this chapter, the following words have the following meanings:

A.

"City manager"

means the city manager or designee.

B.

"Neighborhood services director"

means the neighborhood services director or designee.

C.

"Sidewalk"

means the portion of the public right-of-way, including any landscaped areas, between a building or other property and the roadway, set apart for pedestrian travel by curbs, barriers, markings, or other delineation.

(Ord. 4-2025 § 1)

A. It is unlawful to obstruct, or cause to be obstructed, any street, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare by erecting, placing or maintaining signs, posts, structures, including recreational items such as basketball hoops, soccer goals, skate ramps, or other obstructions of any kind, except as otherwise provided in this code.

B. Nothing in this section prevents merchants or persons who receive or deliver goods from using the sidewalk in front of the merchant's premises for the purpose of receiving or delivering goods.

(Ord. 4-2025 § 1)

The city manager or neighborhood services director may, on proper written application, grant a temporary permit for the erection of temporary structures, obstructions, or signs on a temporary basis; provided, that the structures or signs do not in any way interfere with the use of the sidewalk by pedestrians and that the structures or signs are immediately removed when they are no longer necessary.

(Ord. 4-2025 § 1)

A. This chapter shall be enforced by the Rancho Cordova department of neighborhood services. The neighborhood services director may investigate violations of this chapter, give such notices as may be required to carry out this chapter, and perform such other duties in connection with the enforcement of this chapter as may be appropriate.

B. Remedies. The neighborhood services director may remove such obstructions, as defined in this chapter, eight hours after a notice of removal is provided to the owner or person in charge of the obstructions. If the owner or person in charge of the obstruction cannot be readily identified or located for the purpose of providing such notice, the neighborhood services director may place a 72-hour notice of removal on the item, and after 72 hours may remove the obstruction to a suitable location and store the obstruction at the expense of the owner or person in charge of the obstruction.

C. The neighborhood services director may enforce this section without notice to the owner or person in control of the obstruction in the event of an immediate threat to the public health, safety, or welfare posed by the obstruction.

(Ord. 4-2025 § 1)

A. Violations of this chapter are hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

B. Any person who violates a provision of this chapter is liable for civil penalties.

C. Any person who violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor.

D. All remedies prescribed under this chapter are cumulative and the election of one or more remedies does not bar the city from the pursuit of any other remedy to enforce this chapter.

(Ord. 4-2025 § 1)