C. Obstruction caused by goods or projections

C. Obstruction caused by goods or projections

Under section 4(5) of the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228), a person may commit an offence if, without lawful authority or excuse, he causes obstruction in a public place by: 

• exposing anything for sale in or upon, or so as to hang over, any street, road or footway, or on the outside of any house, shop or building; or 
• setting up or continuing any pole, blind, awning, line or other projection from any window, parapet or other part of any house, shop or building. 

The penalty is a fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months. 

The law targets two specific types of physical interference with public space that result in obstruction: 

(i) Exposing goods for sale 

This includes placing goods for sale directly on a street, road, or footway, or hanging them in a way that they overhang these public areas. It also covers goods placed on the outside of any house, shop, or building. For this offence, “exposing for sale” can include articles that are wrapped and not in direct view of the customer, and each separate exposure can be charged as a distinct offence. 

(ii) Projections from buildings 

This prohibits setting up or continuing the use of any pole, blind, awning, line, or other projection from a window, parapet, or any other part of a building. Common examples include laundry lines or retractable awnings that extend too far into a public thoroughfare.