Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Erie, PA

If you live in Erie or are thinking about moving there, sidewalk & pedestrian rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Erie has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sidewalk & pedestrian rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Sidewalk Repair

Erie puts sidewalk construction and repair squarely on the abutting property owner's shoulders and dime under Section 903.01, requiring safe, paved condition at all times. If an owner won't do the work after notice, the City Engineer can do it and bill the owner, adding interest and penalties.

Key details: Duty holder: Abutting lot/parcel owner. City fallback: City builds it, bills owner + interest. Notice to resident owner: At least 10 days before work. Notice to non-resident owner: Registered letter, 15+ days ahead. Max slope allowed: 1/4 inch per foot.

Beyond the direct cost recovery in Section 903.02 for a sidewalk the City had to build itself, Article 903's general penalty in Section 903.99 fines a violator not less than $300 nor more than $1,000 per offense, with imprisonment up to 30 days in default of payment; each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. A sidewalk built out of grade or slope is separately declared a public nuisance under Section 903.07, with removal and relaying costs plus a 10% penalty charged to the owner.

Obstruction Rules

Placing boxes, lumber, coal, ashes or any other item that blocks a sidewalk in front of your property is a summary offense in Erie, punishable by up to a $300 fine. Bicycle racks are exempt if kept between 28 and 38 inches tall and no more than 3 feet wide.

Key details: Fine: Up to $300 per violation. Jail alternative: Up to 90 days. Bicycle rack height: 28 to 38 inches. Bicycle rack width limit: 3 feet. Loading exception: Brief loading/unloading of goods allowed.

A sidewalk or alley obstruction under Article 719 is a summary offense; § 719.99 sets the penalty at up to $300 or 90 days in jail, or both, for each violation. Code enforcement or police can order the obstruction removed on top of any fine, and an unpermitted bicycle rack outside the 28-to-38-inch, 3-foot-wide limits loses its exemption and counts as an ordinary obstruction.

Encroachment Permits

Blocking or closing a public sidewalk for construction or redevelopment work in Erie requires a sidewalk closure permit from the Bureau of Engineering first. Closures cannot exceed 90 days without a fee-paid 90-day extension, and any closure over 180 days total is barred outright.

Key details: Permit issuer: Bureau of Engineering. Base permit term: 90 days maximum. Extension: One 90-day extension, 30 days' notice. Hard cap: 180 days total, no exceptions. Unpermitted closure over 24 hrs: Triggers stop-work order.

Closing a sidewalk for construction for more than 24 hours without first obtaining a permit from the Bureau of Engineering triggers an immediate stop-work order under § 719.11(g)(1). Exceeding the 90-day permit term without an approved extension, or running a closure past the 180-day hard cap, likewise puts the project out of compliance and subject to the Bureau's enforcement action.

Compared to other cities, Erie takes a harder line on encroachment permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Erie'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 Erie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Erie can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.