Cherry Hill's Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 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.

Encroachment Permits

Any work that disturbs Cherry Hill Township streets, curbs, sidewalks or driveway aprons within the public right-of-way needs a Street Opening Permit from the Engineering Department under Township Code § 20-1. Applicants post a bond, pay administration and inspection fees, and restore all disturbed paving to Township specifications.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-1, Excavations in Streets and Rights-of-Way. Issuing office: Township Engineering Department. Admin fee: $100 plus inspection fee. Permit term: 6 months, extendable 6 months. Minimum surety: $500 for openings up to 10 sq ft.

Excavating, cutting or opening any Township street, curb or right-of-way without an approved Street Opening Permit violates § 20-1.1 and is punishable under § 20-1.15 and the general Chapter 1, § 1-5 penalty: a fine up to $2,000, up to ninety days in jail, or up to ninety days of community service, at the Municipal Court judge's discretion.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Cherry Hill actively enforces its encroachment permits requirements.

Sidewalk Repair

Cherry Hill Township places the cost and duty of sidewalk repair on the abutting property owner, not the Township. Code § 15-16.3 requires owners to keep sidewalks, driveways, stairs and parking areas in proper repair and free of hazards all the way out to the curb line, backed by Municipal Court fines starting at $50.

Key details: Governing section: § 15-16.3, Sidewalks and Driveways. Owner's duty: Repair sidewalk to and including curb line. Correction window: 1 week / 5 business days after notice. First-offense fine: $50 (plea by affidavit). Repeat-offense fine: $100 to $500, Municipal Court.

Failing to repair a hazardous sidewalk, driveway or walkway after a Property Maintenance Notice of Violation violates § 15-16.3, punishable under § 15-10.2: a first offense can be settled by pleading guilty and paying a $50 fine, while a second or later offense goes to Municipal Court and carries a fine of $100 to $500, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.

Obstruction Rules

Cherry Hill Township bans placing or maintaining any encroachment, obstruction or encumbrance on a street, sidewalk, walkway or right-of-way open to public use. Township Code § 20-2 allows only construction barricades and cul-de-sac basketball backboards, and gives violators fifteen days' written notice to remove an obstruction before the Township removes it and bills the owner.

Key details: Governing section: § 20-2, Obstruction of Public Right-of-Way. Exceptions: Construction barricades; cul-de-sac basketball backboards only. Notice period: 15 days to remove after written notice. Cost recovery: Township removes and bills owner/occupant.

Placing or leaving anything in the public right-of-way outside the two narrow exceptions violates § 20-2.1. The Township serves written notice by hand or certified mail giving fifteen days to remove the item; after that, crews remove it and bill the full cost of removal to the property owner or occupant under § 20-2.3.

This is one of the stricter rules in Cherry Hill's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Cherry Hill is tougher than many cities when it comes to sidewalk & pedestrian rules. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Cherry Hill, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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