San Jose’s Delivery Robots Are Already on Sidewalks. Rules Are Coming

Delivery robots are already using sidewalks in downtown San Jose, but the city has not yet adopted the rules that would govern them.

San Jose transportation officials outlined draft regulatory concepts during a city-hosted Delivery Robots Webinar on July 21. The discussion is part of an outreach and rulemaking process that could lead to a proposal before the San Jose City Council in September 2026. That timing is expected, not confirmed, and the language of any ordinance could still change.

What the city is considering

The draft framework could set operating speeds, limit where robots may travel, require permits and establish penalties for companies that do not follow the rules.

Transportation officials described a proposed 5-mph limit for devices traveling on sidewalks, pedestrian pathways and crosswalks. Smaller devices could also be required to carry visibility flags. Companies could be responsible for removing robots that freeze up and block public areas within a reasonable amount of time.

The city is also considering a permit system for robot operators. Permits could be issued for one year at a time, with fines or permit revocation possible for violations. The concepts described by officials do not set a specific numeric cap on the number of delivery robots, but the city could retain the ability to withhold permits if it determines that the number of devices is becoming too high.

Sidewalk access and disability concerns

The policy questions are not only about technology. Residents and attendees raised concerns about sidewalk clearance, obstructions and access for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations.

For downtown pedestrians, a stalled or poorly positioned robot could create a temporary barrier on a narrow sidewalk. That can affect people walking to work, visiting businesses, using transit or navigating downtown with a stroller or mobility device. The proposed framework would place responsibility on operators to address disabled or obstructing devices, but the details of enforcement remain undecided.

Restaurants, delivery platforms and downtown businesses are also affected. Automated deliveries could offer another way to move food and other items without sending a driver for every short trip. At the same time, businesses and residents will want to know how sidewalk space is protected and how complaints are handled.

Bike-lane robots would be a separate step

The robots operating now are smaller sidewalk devices. San Jose Spotlight reported that Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics together have 35 robots operating in the city, with Coco serving downtown. A larger DoorDash device known as Dot has also been discussed as a possible future addition.

Dot is designed for bikeways and is substantially larger than the cooler-sized robots already seen downtown. Its possible use would raise separate questions about speed, lane space and interactions with cyclists.

Possible bike-lane operations should not be confused with the current downtown sidewalk activity. Transportation officials discussed monitoring a potential yearlong pilot for larger robots, but that expansion is not an adopted program or a final decision.

What happens next

San Jose transportation staff are expected to continue refining the framework and gathering public input. A finalized proposal could reach the City Council in September, where lawmakers would have to decide whether and how to authorize the rules.

Until that formal action occurs, residents should treat the speed limits, operating areas, permit requirements and enforcement provisions as proposals rather than city law. The main unresolved issue is how San Jose will balance delivery convenience and business interests with reliable access to sidewalks and safe space for pedestrians, people with disabilities and cyclists.

Sources

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