Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Allentown, PA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Allentown Owners Must Build and Repair Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsAllentown Code of Ordinances § 545-13.C
All such curbs, sidewalks, handicap ramps, crossovers (driveways) and crosswalks shall be constructed and maintained at the expense of the property owner for the safety and convenience of the public in accordance with this article, and standards and specifications established and maintained by the City of Allentown, Bureau of Engineering.
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.
Allentown Use Permit Required for Sidewalk Obstructions
Some RestrictionsAllentown Code of Ordinances § 545-46
No person shall place or cause to be placed any temporary obstruction in the right-of-way area in any City street, except upon having obtained a use permit, to be issued by the Director of Community and Economic Development or the Director's designee upon the following conditions: A. That such temporary obstruction must be one that can be readily removed from the right-of-way area. B. That such...
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.
Allentown Permit Rules for Right-of-Way Encroachments
Some RestrictionsAllentown Code of Ordinances § 545-42.B(1)-(2)
Certain permanent encroachments shall be permitted upon the approval of the Bureau of Building Safety and Standards subject to the following conditions: (1) Permissible encroachments shall include steps, porches, planters, fences, building projections, and service structures of utilities related to the right-of-way such as public telephones or bus shelters... (2) A permissible encroachment may ...
Looking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Lehigh County →