§ 146-494. Obstruction of sidewalks.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct or cause to be obstructed any public space parallel to any sidewalk including linear streets, public rights-of-way, public alleys or any entrance or window of any building so as to prevent the free and proper use thereof.

(b)

If any person by performance of any outdoor act or activities causes a crowd to gather, and if the crowd makes passage by pedestrians inordinately difficult or conducts activities which impede access to the public rights-of-way the department of police shall have the authority to order such person(s) to cease performance of their act or activities. The person(s) to whom such an order is given must obey the order immediately or be subject to arrest for violation of this section and shall be prohibited from the following:

(1)

Unauthorized installation or placement of sports athletic equipment or apparatus designed for temporary mobile or fixed stationary use including:

a.

Basketball goal equipment;

b.

Sports athletic training equipment.

(2)

Unauthorized construction or assembly of sports special event or athletic event apparatus or other equipment which impedes or obstructs the public rights-of-way including amateur or homemade devices created for athletic purposes.

(c)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person or persons engaged in watching a parade.

(d)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to permitted, legal, sidewalk uses authorized pursuant to division 4 of this chapter.

(e)

Jackson Square clear lanes.

(1)

All artists, street entertainers, street vendors and other persons utilizing the Chartres Street, St. Ann Street and St. Peter Street malls surrounding Jackson Square under a permit from the city, hereinafter all referred to as "performers or vendors" shall endeavor to maintain "clear lanes" to facilitate pedestrian access to and around Jackson Square, as set forth below.

(2)

No performer or vendor shall conduct his performing or vending activity in the clear lanes around Jackson Square.

(3)

Performers and vendors shall encourage pedestrians who stop to view their performing and vending activities not to block the clear lanes established herein, and they shall cooperate with the effort of the department of police to maintain such clear lanes for pedestrian access in and around Jackson Square.

(4)

The clear lanes areas shall be the following:

a.

Chartres Street Mall. The clear lanes shall be from the facades of the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and Presbytere to a line 20 feet out from those facades.

b.

St. Ann Street Mall. The clear lanes shall be from the facades of the Pontalba building to a line 12 feet out from the downtown curb of the street.

c.

St. Peter Street Mall. The clear lanes shall be from the facade of the Pontalba Building to a line 12 feet out from the uptown curb of the street.

(f)

A commercial use with street frontage located within the Central Business District, as defined by the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, may display and/or place one detachable, freestanding, portable accessory sign, per business location, subject to compliance with division 4 of this article.

(Code 1956, § 61-114.1; M.C.S., Ord. No. 20850, § 1, 8-22-02; M.C.S., Ord. No. 21867, § 1, 3-3-05; M.C.S., Ord. No. 23508, § 1, 5-7-09; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27625, § 3, 12-14-17; eff. 10-1-17)