Chapter 74 STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES
Plain English: what this part covers
This chapter covers parade permits, displaying merchandise on sidewalks, and the rules utility companies must follow to put lines, pipes and poles in city rights-of-way. The old interstate sign rules here were repealed in 2011.
- Parade registration at least 24 hours in advance (Sec. 74-1(a))
- Utility registration within 90 days of the 2008 ordinance (Sec. 74-64)
- 48-hour locate request before digging (Sec. 74-69)
- Utility has 20 working days to start repairs after notice (Sec. 74-71)
- Utility fine up to $1,000 per violation per day (Sec. 74-75)
Cross reference— Any dedicating, naming, establishing, locating, relocating, opening, widening, paving, etc., any street or public way in the city saved from repeal, § 1-11(6); any ordinance providing for local improvements and assessing taxes for such improvements saved from repeal, § 1-11(9); any ordinance establishing or prescribing street grades in the city saved from repeal, § 1-11(15); buildings and building regulations, ch. 18; property numbering, § 18-61 et seq.; cemeteries, ch. 26; environment, ch. 38; floods, ch. 46; obstruction of streets, sidewalks, similar locations, § 62-2; loitering and prowling, § 62-71 et seq.; planning, ch. 66; traffic and vehicles, ch. 82; utilities, ch. 86; zoning, app. A.
State Law reference— Obstructing sidewalks or other public passages, § 16-11-43; damaging public property, O.C.G.A. § 16-7-25; Georgia Code of Public Transportation, O.C.G.A. § 32-1-1 et seq.; governmental authorization for construction or maintenance of any private road unlawful, O.C.G.A. § 32-1-8; state, county and municipal road systems, O.C.G.A. § 32-4-1 et seq.; municipal street systems, O.C.G.A. § 32-4-90 et seq.; powers with respect to municipal street system, O.C.G.A. § 32-4-92; regulation of maintenance and use of public roads generally, O.C.G.A. § 32-6-1 et seq.; grant by municipal corporation of right to obstruct public street prohibited, O.C.G.A. § 36-30-10; municipalities may permit enclosure of lanes or alleys, O.C.G.A. § 36-30-11; power of city to open, close or extend public streets, alleys and sidewalks, O.C.G.A. § 36-34-3; municipal street improvements, O.C.G.A. § 36-39-1 et seq.; executions for collection of municipal assessments for paving streets and laying sewers, O.C.G.A. § 48-5-358; power to construct and maintain roads, including curbs, sidewalks, street lights and devices to control the flow of traffic, Ga. Const. art. IX, § II, ¶ III(a)(4); restriction on use of traffic control monitoring devices, O.C.G.A. § 40-14-21.
What's in here
Questions folks ask
Do I need a permit for a parade or march?
Yes. Any march, ceremony, demonstration, exhibition or procession on a public street must be registered with the chief of police at least 24 hours ahead, with a written application. Funeral processions and city-sponsored parades are exempt.
Who decides whether my parade permit is approved?
The chief of police forwards the application to the mayor. The mayor grants it unless the parade would unreasonably burden normal use of the streets or sidewalks. If it's denied, the mayor must give reasons and suggest time, place or route changes that would work.
What does a parade permit application need?
Date and time, route, expected number of people and vehicles, the sponsor's name and address, and the applicant's name, address and phone number.
Can my store put merchandise or tables on the sidewalk?
Not without city council approval. An adjoining property owner can apply to display goods, or serve food and drinks, on the sidewalk next to their property, as long as it doesn't block traffic. Approval isn't a right and can be denied.
Can vendors sell on the sidewalk during festivals?
Yes, during festivals and public events the city council approves by resolution.
Does a utility company have to tell the city before digging in the street?
Yes. Utilities must register with the city, give written notice to the city manager before working in the right-of-way, and submit an 811 locate request 48 hours before mechanized digging.
Who fixes the street if a utility damages it?
The utility, at its own cost. If it doesn't start repairs within 20 working days of written notice, the city or the property owner can do the work and bill the utility.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH74STSIOTPUPL
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH74STSIOTPUPL
Paid for by James Burgess