Allentown's Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Allentown, Pennsylvania, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Obstruction Rules

Anyone placing a temporary obstruction like a dumpster, merchandise display or vending machine on an Allentown sidewalk needs a use permit from the Director of Community and Economic Development, and the item cannot extend more than a third of the sidewalk width or three feet.

Key details: Permitting authority: Director of Community and Economic Development. Max obstruction extension: 1/3 of sidewalk width, capped at 3 feet. Merchandise display curfew: 1 hour after sunset to sunrise. Historic district review: HARB approval required. Max fine: $1,000 or 90 days, or both.

Any owner, lessee or other person violating Article VI is, upon conviction, fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both, under Section 545-52, with each day of continued violation constituting a separate offense. Obstructions denied a use permit may still be authorized by City Council resolution on appeal under Section 545-47.

Sidewalk Repair

Allentown places the duty to construct, repair and maintain sidewalks, curbs and handicap ramps on the abutting property owner, at the owner's expense. The City can perform overdue work itself and place a lien on the property to recover the cost.

Key details: Who maintains sidewalks: Abutting property owner, at own expense. Notice before City acts (repair): 30 calendar days. Notice before City acts (new install): 60 calendar days. Recovery method: Lien on the property. Variance authority: Allentown Planning Commission, up to 10 years.

Failure to repair after the City's notice period (30 days for maintenance, 60 days under the pedestrian safety program) lets the City do the work and bill the owner; unpaid costs become a lien on the property from the date the City Engineer certifies completion, collectible as provided by law through the City Solicitor.

Encroachment Permits

Placing a permanent structure like a step, porch, planter or fence into the Allentown right-of-way requires approval from the Bureau of Building Safety and Standards, and the encroachment cannot exceed one-third of the sidewalk width or leave less than five feet of clear walk.

Key details: Approving body: Bureau of Building Safety and Standards. Max encroachment width: 1/3 of sidewalk area. Minimum clear sidewalk left: 5 feet. Required reviewers: Engineering, Code Enforcement, Traffic Planning. Historic district review: Board of Historical Architectural Review (HARB).

There is no separate fine schedule for unpermitted permanent obstructions in Section 545-42 itself; the City's remedy is removal, since Section 545-42.B(7) lets the City require removal of any approved encroachment at the owner's expense on 30 days' notice, and an obstruction lacking approval altogether is not authorized to remain in the right-of-way at all.

The Bottom Line

Allentown's sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Allentown is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Allentown's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.