Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
In Bethlehem, the owner of any property abutting a public street or alley must keep the sidewalk, curb, and gutter in good, safe condition and must repair or replace them within 30 days of a written notice from the Director of Public Works. Ignore the notice and the City does the work itself and bills the owner.
Sidewalk Repair Duty for Bethlehem Owners
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 909.01
(a) Every owner of property abutting any public street or public alley in the City shall reconstruct, repair and/or replace sidewalk and/or curb and/or gutter upon service of a written notice to do so by the Director of Public Works. (b) Every owner of property abutting any public street or public alley in the City shall reconstruct, repair and/or replace such sidewalk and/or curb and/or gutter...
Obstruction Rules
Bethlehem's Article 721 makes it unlawful to erect stands, awnings, signs, trash receptacles or piles of merchandise that occupy or project over any city street, sidewalk, lane, alley, pavement, footway or right-of-way, and separately bars obstructing those same rights-of-way outright, with the Director of Public Works reviewing and approving any activity that touches them.
Bethlehem Bans Sidewalk and Right-of-Way Obstructions
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 721.02(A), (B)
no person shall permit to remain, or hereafter erect or place any stand, stall, booth or showcase, vending machine, trash receptacle, banner, awning, awning post, swinging sign, post, pole, board, frame, or any other device or thing occupying, or in any manner projecting over or upon any portion of any of the streets, sidewalks, lanes, alleys, pavements, footways or rights-of-way of the City......
Encroachment Permits
Placing a structure, fixture or non-vending activity on a Bethlehem street, sidewalk, lane, alley or right-of-way requires a Department of Public Works permit and a $100 fee, and it can only go to the abutting property owner or a qualifying long-term lessee.
Bethlehem Sidewalk Encroachment Permits
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 721.08(A)
Except as otherwise provided in this Article, all persons wishing to conduct non-vending activities or place temporary or permanent structures upon the streets, sidewalks, lanes, alleys, pavements, footways, or rights-of-way, or place any temporary or permanent fixtures upon any poles or other structures located within the streets, sidewalks, lanes, alleys, pavements, footways, or rights-of-way...