A. 
Every person, firm, or corporation engaging in the business of constructing public sidewalks shall before engaging in such business file with the City a bond in the sum of $1,000 to assure said City and property owners that such sidewalks will be constructed in strict accordance with the requirements of the City for such work, and that such work shall be so constructed as to remain in safe condition and good repair, natural wear expected, for the period of five years from the completion of such work.
B. 
Such bond shall be in effect for and during the fiscal year in which filed and shall cover all work done during the fiscal years in which filed. Persons, firms, or corporations desiring to continue in such business shall renew such bond on the first day of May of each year.
C. 
The bond herein provided to be given shall be executed by the person, firm, or corporation desiring to engage in such business and by two responsible sureties or by some surety company, such sureties to be approved by the Corporation Counsel.
A. 
All persons, firms, or corporations prior to constructing a public sidewalk shall apply to and receive a permit from the City Engineer for the construction of any public sidewalk and no permit shall be issued to any such person, firm, or corporation for the construction of any sidewalk until such person, firm, or corporation shall comply with the provisions of this article.
[Ord. No. 1980-25]
B. 
The City Engineer shall charge a fee in the amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees for each permit issued. If any person, firm or corporation shall begin construction of a public sidewalk without said permit, the City Engineer shall charge a permit fee in the amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees for such permit. No person, firm or corporation may be issued any permit under this chapter if any permit fees requested by this section remain unpaid.
[Ord. No. 2018-89]
C. 
To aid in carrying out this section, the City Clerk shall file with the City Engineer the names and addresses of all persons, firms, or corporations filing bonds as herein required.
[Ord. No. 1980-25]
Any person, firm, or corporation constructing or attempting to construct any public sidewalk without first complying with the foregoing sections of this article shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $10 and not exceeding $50 for each offense.
A. 
The whole work of grading and laying down sidewalks, whether done by the City or the owners of the respective lots or parcels of land abutting upon the streets, shall be done under the supervision and subject to the approval of the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall establish the grades for all sidewalks to be established and the same shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the grades of their respective streets.
B. 
Where no permanent grade is established, the City Engineer may give a temporary grade, but the giving of such temporary grade shall in no way bind the City or make it liable for any expense of changing the walk if a permanent grade different from said temporary grade later is established. He shall, when requested by any person desiring to build a sidewalk, stake out the ground thereof without charge to such person; and no person shall construct or lay or cause to be constructed or laid any sidewalk where no grade has been established by the City or contrary to any grade given by said Engineer; and no part of any sidewalk shall be taken for private use by lowering or cutting down the same next to the building fronting thereon; or by railing off the same by an iron or other railing or otherwise shutting off the public from using the same, but said sidewalk shall be built clear up to the lot line in a uniform grade as herein before provided. No sidewalk shall be removed without provision for rebuilding the sidewalk. Whoever shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a penalty of $5 for the first offense and to an additional penalty of $1 for each day after the first conviction that he shall continue such violation.
All sidewalks shall hereafter have an incline toward the gutter of 1/2 inch in two feet and shall be constructed of concrete made of gravel or crushed stone and Portland cement in the proportions prescribed in plans and specifications for such work by the City Engineer and all sidewalks hereafter constructed shall be built according to the plans and specifications for sidewalks to be prepared and kept on file in the office of the City Engineer; provided, that where there is at present a brick sidewalk made of good hard brick and the same is in a reasonably safe and satisfactory condition and by reason of the City's changing the grade of the street or sidewalk, it becomes necessary to raise or lower such sidewalk in such case but not otherwise. All violations of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10 and not more than $50, and every day such violation shall continue after the first conviction shall be a separate offense.
No person shall build or extend any sidewalk beyond the established width, and no person shall insert any smooth piece of glass or metal in any sidewalk. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not exceeding $10 and a further penalty of $2 for each day he shall continue such violation after the first conviction.
[Amended 1-12-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-004]
Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any steps, platforms, street furniture, merchandise, signs, or other fixtures to extend into or upon any sidewalk in the City. This includes placement upon, over or across, or suspension upon, over or across any sidewalk, any merchandise whatsoever.
A. 
Definition. The definition of "sidewalk" for this section refers to all that area between the boundary of a private property and the back of curbline or edge of an adjacent road or alley, whether public or private. This area includes hardened walkways, parkways (which are defined as that area between a hardened walkway and the paved portion of the street) and any additional land within that area, whether used for the foregoing or other purposes.
B. 
Prohibited. No open cellar or basement access shall be permitted in any sidewalk.
C. 
Permit required.
(1) 
The following items may be allowed to be placed on, or encroach on, the sidewalk adjacent to a private property line, subject to a sidewalk encroachment permit pursuant to this section. Any permitted encroachment shall not inhibit the ingress and egress from buildings nor the free flow of pedestrian traffic:
(a) 
In the Central Business District, as defined in § 38-228: doors and similar fixtures that swing outward, provided that when fully open they do not reduce the sidewalk's clear, unobstructed ADA/PROWAG-compliant pedestrian passage to less than five feet wide. Outswing doors shall be required to have planters, bollards, or other barriers placed at all times on each side of the door opening, between 18 and 24 inches from each side of the door frame, with the leading edge of such barriers no higher than 27 inches above the walking surface so as to be cane-detectable to persons with vision impairments. The barrier shall be of sufficient size to cover the entire door swing dimension without allowing a gap greater than 12 inches between it and the building, and of sufficient weight to not be easily moved, as illustrated in Figure 208C(1).
Figure 208C(1) Door Dimensions
(b) 
In any Business District, or Residential District adjacent to a commercial use, as defined by the Zoning Code (Ch. 44) of the City of Bloomington: The following items may be allowed to occupy a maximum of 50% of the sidewalk directly fronting the building or use with which they are associated, provided they do not reduce the sidewalk's clear, unobstructed ADA/PROWAG-compliant pedestrian passage to less than five feet wide, are not within 18 inches of the back of curb, and do not obstruct any fixture or street furniture. In addition, items shall not be placed within 10 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or where the presence of the item obstructs a motorist's view of cross traffic or pedestrians. Any of these items may require the placement of physical barriers on each side to be permitted, to serve as additional visual indication of the obstruction and to be cane-detectable to persons with vision impairments when items themselves do not meet ADA/PROWAG requirements:
[1] 
Planters;
[2] 
Hanging planters (attached to building, canopy, or awning);
[3] 
Sidewalk sales (related merchandising and displays);
[4] 
Signs or fixture for advertising purposes, subject to the provisions and permits required by the Sign Code of the City of Bloomington;
[5] 
Awnings and canopies (not more than four feet from the face of the building; eight feet minimum clearance above sidewalk);
[6] 
Street furniture.
(2) 
Permit time limits and fees.
(a) 
An application for a sidewalk encroachment permit shall be submitted on a form provided by the Engineering Department, and filed with the same.
(b) 
Permits may be issued for variable durations, depending upon the kind of encroachment requested. Those of a temporary or seasonal nature, not to exceed nine months, may be, but are not guaranteed to be, granted in succession. Permits for encroachments of a permanent nature shall not be issued without prior permission from the City Engineer, in consultation with the Zoning Administrator.
(c) 
The City shall charge a permit fee for each permit issued, as set forth in Chapter 1, § 1-125, Schedule of Fees. If any persons, contractors, utilities or other agencies obstruct a sidewalk without said permit, the City shall be empowered to charge a permit fee of double the normal permit fee for the appropriate type of permit.
D. 
The City Engineer may promulgate administrative rules which relate to the requirements contained in this section. Such rules shall be attached to the permit and be followed by the permittee.
E. 
Penalty. Whoever shall violate or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this section shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $500; each day a violation continues after notice shall constitute a separate offense.
F. 
Exception. Devices commonly known as "newspaper boxes" or similar devices whereby a person is allowed to remove one or more newspapers or magazines from said device upon depositing therein the purchase price thereof located on sidewalks will be allowed, provided such devices meet the following standards:
(1) 
Such device shall not stand higher than four feet from the ground nor possess any horizontal dimension in excess of two feet;
(2) 
Such device shall not be located:
(a) 
In any location in which any part of the device, including any door thereto when opened, extends within 18 inches of the back of curb or edge of street, leaves less than five continuous feet of ADA/PROWAG-compliant sidewalk width, or obstructs pedestrian traffic;
(b) 
Adjacent to any bus stops or any no parking zone anywhere in the City;
(c) 
Within 10 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or where the presence of such a device obstructs a motorist's view of cross traffic or pedestrians;
(d) 
Within one foot of any building;
(3) 
Such device shall not be chained to any bench adjacent to a bus stop, tree, traffic signal, traffic control device, including traffic signs, traffic lights, parking meters, or other street furniture;
(4) 
Such device shall contain a name, address and telephone number of a person to be notified in case of theft, vandalism, nonfunctional condition of the device, or the device's noncompliance with this chapter.
A. 
There shall be no permanent opening in any sidewalk, alley, or street.
B. 
No space, room, or structure under a sidewalk shall be used for storage of explosives or flammable liquids, nor shall a cesspool be located therein.
C. 
No person shall hereafter be allowed to newly construct or occupy for vaults, areas, or for any other purpose the space beneath the streets, sidewalks, avenues, alleys, or public places in the City.
D. 
Every covered aperture or opening in any sidewalk over any vault or coal hole shall be covered with a substantial iron gate or place having a rough surface. The reconstruction or repair of all vaults and coal holes under sidewalks shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the City Engineer.
No person shall remove or insecurely fix, or cause or procure or suffer or permit to be removed or to be insecurely fixed, so that the same can be moved in its bed, any grate or covering of any coal hole, vault, or chute under any street, sidewalk, or other public place; provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the owner or occupant of the building with which such coal hole, vault, or chute shall be connected from removing the grate or covering for the proper purpose of such openings; provided that he encloses such opening or aperture and keeps the same enclosed while such grate or covering shall be removed, with a strong box or curb at least 24 inches high, firmly and securely made; provided further that he shall not remove such grate or covering until after sunrise of any day and shall replace such grate or covering before 1/2 hour after sunset.
The person in possession of any premises abutting on a vault or coal hole shall be held responsible to the City for any and all damages occasioned to persons or property in consequence of the aperture in the sidewalk being left exposed and uncovered or in consequence of the covering thereof being left insecure or unfastened.
Any person who shall keep or leave open any cellar door or grating of any vault on any public highway or sidewalk, or suffer the same to be left or kept open, or place any obstruction thereon that will endanger the public travel, shall forfeit and pay a penalty of not less than $25 nor more than $200 for each offense.
Any person who shall ride upon, over, or across, or drive or pass over, along, or across any sidewalk or any curb with any automobile or vehicle, except at proper crossing places and where the alleys intersect the streets, shall, upon conviction, forfeit and pay not less than $1 nor more than $25 for each offense; provided that any occupant of any yard, lot, or warehouse may have access to the same by placing in front thereof at his or her expense, with the consent and direction of the City Engineer, a temporary bridge or carriage way over the gutter, curbing, and sidewalk in such manner as will preserve the same from injury and not obstruct it.
It shall be unlawful for any person in said City to throw, cast, or place upon any sidewalk any stone, coal, coke, or firewood, or to cut, split, or saw any firewood upon any sidewalk; and any person convicted under this section shall forfeit and pay not less than $1 nor more than $10 for each offense; provided that every person shall have the privilege of unloading his or her coal, firewood or other fuel in front of his or her house, shop, store, and outside of the sidewalk, in such manner only as will not obstruct the free passage of the street, the same shall be removed before the expiration of 12 hours from the time the same may be deposited.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to occupy or encumber any sidewalk, street, or alley in said City by standing, sitting, or remaining upon the same so as to prevent or obstruct the free and convenient passage of persons along and across any of said streets, sidewalks, or alleys, but all such persons shall disperse or move on at the request of any policeman; and any person violating this section shall forfeit and pay not less than $1 nor more than $50 for each offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 38-217 [Ch. 38, Sec. 63], Permission to restrict City streets, amended by Ord. No. 2018-93,was repealed 1-12-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-004.
No person owning, occupying, or controlling any building in said City shall cause the pipes conducting the water from the eaves of the same to be so constructed as to spread the water over the sidewalks or upon any person passing along any sidewalk; and any person failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall forfeit and pay not less than $1 nor more than $25 for each offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 38-220 [Ch. 38, Sec. 66], Merchandise on sidewalks - penalty, amended by Ord. No. 1975-93, was repealed 1-12-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-004.
No person, while receiving any goods, wares or merchandise, shall permit the same to remain on any sidewalk longer than two hours and for this purpose he shall not occupy over four feet of the outer edge of the sidewalk in front of the place of business so receiving or delivering any such goods, wares, merchandise, etc. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $5 nor more than $50 for each offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 38-223 [Ch. 38, Sec. 69], Storage of personal property, etc., on streets, sidewalks, etc., was repealed 1-12-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-004.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place or keep on a window sill, railing, balcony, porch, or any other projection from any house or building standing upon or near to the line of any sidewalk, street, or alley or other public place in the City, any earthen flower pot, wooden box or other article or thing whatever unless the same is securely and firmly fastened or protected by proper railing so as to render it impossible for the same to fall under a penalty of not exceeding $10 for each such offense.
Every owner or occupant of any dwelling house or other building or proprietor or lessee of any enclosed lot or premises and every person having the charge or control of any church, hall or public building within the City shall during the winter season, whenever there is a fall of snow, and by 10:00 a.m. on every morning thereafter, clear the sidewalks in front of or adjoining such house, building or premises from snow and ice and keep the same conveniently free therefrom; or shall, in case the snow and ice are so congealed as not to be removed without difficulty or injury to the pavement, strew the same with ashes, sand or sawdust. Every such owner or occupant shall also, at all times, keep such sidewalks clear and free from dirt, filth, and weeds or other obstructions so as to allow pedestrians the safe and unobstructed use of the same.
A. 
Whenever property is redeveloped as defined in this section, the owner thereof shall, prior to occupancy, provide for such construction, reconstruction or repair as will improve all public sidewalk adjacent to said redeveloped property to a safe and usable condition. Sidewalk improvements are provided for within the meaning of this section whenever the owner of such property, or his agent, presents to the Director of Building Safety a contract with a licensed sidewalk contractor for improvement of adjacent sidewalks to a standard acceptable to the City Engineer within a period of time found reasonable by the City Engineer in light of the availability of material and qualified labor, the extent of the sidewalk improvement and the time of the year.
[Ord. No. 1977-146]
B. 
Redevelopment property defined. Property is redeveloped within the meaning of this Ordinance whenever:
(1) 
The property is subdivided and required sidewalk improvements have not been waived;
(2) 
A new building is erected on the site where an older building previously existed:
(3) 
An existing building is improved in an amount exceeding 50% of its assessed value.
[Ord. No. 1977-146]
The following terms, when used in §§ 38-229 and 38-230, shall have the meaning provided in this section:
BUSINESS DAY
Any day not a Sunday or national or state holiday.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
BUSINESS HOURS
The hours between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any business day.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Refers to the area bounded by the following streets: Beginning at the intersection of Locust and Roosevelt Streets; thence east on Locust to Prairie Street; thence south to Douglas Street; thence east to Gridley Street; thence south to Jefferson Street; thence east to McLean Street; thence south to Front Street; thence west to Gridley Street; thence south to Olive Street; thence west to Prairie Street; thence south to Jackson Street; thence west along Jackson Street and an extension thereof to Main Street; thence north to Kentucky Alley; thence west to Center Street; thence north to Olive Street; thence west to Lee Street; thence north to Front Street; thence west to Oak Street; thence north to Monroe Street; thence east to Roosevelt Street; thence north to a point immediately south of Mulberry Street; thence east to a point halfway between the Roosevelt Street right-of-way and the Madison Street right-of-way; thence north to Locust Street.
[Ord. No. 1977-11]
OCCUPANT
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other entity of any description other than the owner having the right to possession of the premises.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
OWNER
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other entity of any description holding legal title to the Premises.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
A. 
Except as provided in Subsection B, every owner and occupant of any building or lot of land within the central business district fronting or abutting on a paved sidewalk shall remove and clear away, or cause to be removed and cleared away, snow and ice from so much of said sidewalk as is in front of or abuts on said building or lot of land within four business hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet or freezing rain or by the beginning of business hours of the next business day following such fall, whichever period is shorter.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
B. 
In the event snow and ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without likelihood of damage to the sidewalk, the person or entity charged with its removal shall, within the time mentioned in Subsection A hereof, cause enough sand or other abrasive to be put on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe; and shall then, as soon thereafter as weather permits, cause said sidewalk to be thoroughly cleaned.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
A. 
Owners and occupants of properties in the central business district failing to comply with the requirements of § 38-229 shall upon conviction thereof be fined in an amount not less than $25 nor more than $200.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]
B. 
This ordinance is enacted for the benefit and protection of all pedestrians in the central business district who are intended to be protected thereby. Failure to comply with the requirements of § 38-229 shall constitute a prima facie showing of negligence, and any pedestrian in the central business district who is killed or sustains an injury to his person or property caused by failure of an owner or occupant of property in the central business district to comply with the requirements of § 38-229, shall have a cause of action against such owners and/or occupants, who shall be Jointly and severally liable to such pedestrian or his estate for any damages so sustained.
[Ord. No. 1977-3]