There’s nothing better than spending a warm summer evening shooting hoops outside. After all, you’ve probably seen plenty of basketball hoops popping up around your neighborhood, so it’s only natural to assume that it’s okay for you to put one up. While having a hoop in your backyard is okay, can you have a basketball hoop on the sidewalk?
You usually can’t have a basketball hoop on the sidewalk; however, rules may vary depending on your city’s policies. With that said, most jurisdictions don’t allow the placement of basketball hoops anywhere other than private or city-owned property to prevent damage and accidents.
To learn more about why basketball hoops aren’t usually allowed on the sidewalk, make sure to read on.
Why Basketball Hoops Aren’t Usually Allowed on the Sidewalk
The reason why basketball hoops aren’t allowed on most streets and sidewalks is to preserve public safety.
For example, this placement encourages children to play closer to the street, where hundreds of cars pass by every day, not always following speed limits and other traffic regulations. In this context, prohibiting basketball hoops from being put up on sidewalks keeps children safer.
Keep in mind that playing basketball near the street isn’t only dangerous for the players themselves but also for the drivers.
Basketballs can cause more damage than you’d think. If one were thrown in the street, it could potentially damage vehicles or even drivers, especially when bounced with enough momentum.
Last but not least, a basketball hoop placed right on the sidewalk can also cause a great deal of disturbance to the neighborhood. Since people will likely be playing for hours on end, excessive noise will be unavoidable.
The same goes for property damage; at one point or another, that ball is bound to fly through a window or knock over a flower pot.
While some people can be understanding, others can call the police. Since the authorities likely need to focus their attention and resources elsewhere, they choose to avoid these types of issues altogether by prohibiting the placement of basketball hoops on the sidewalk in the first place.
However, keep in mind that depending on the perceived safety level of your neighborhood and how lax your local regulations are, you might be able to get your permit after all.
So, if you’re interested in putting a basketball hoop on that sidewalk near your house, you can always check with your city first. Sometimes, even the laws can be flexible if you abide by certain safety policies, so it’s always worth asking.
Conclusion
Basketball hoops aren’t usually allowed on sidewalks, so if you’re in doubt and don’t feel like checking your city’s policies on the matter, it’s best to err on the side of safety and don’t put one up at all.
Instead, try to make do by using your private property as your very own basketball court. For example, you can always put a hoop up on your lawn, garage, or backyard, so consider these options first.