Bayonne, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 3-4.1 states the general rule plainly: "No person shall obstruct any street, highway, public lane, public alley, sidewalk or public park or playground or any other public place by the placing thereon of any food, merchandise or materials or matter of any kind except as provided in subsection 3-4.2." The listed exceptions in § 3-4.2 are narrow: merchandise may sit on the sidewalk only for immediate delivery into the abutting building; refuse and garbage may be set at the curb starting 5:00 p.m. the evening before pickup; building materials may occupy the street during active construction on the abutting lot if traffic and sidewalk use are preserved; newspaper stands must sit near the building line without blocking the sidewalk; and sidewalk sales by store keepers are allowed only on the third Thursday, Friday and Saturday of July.

A related provision, § 3-4.3, separately bars obstructing a fire hydrant or other fire protection equipment, requiring a three-foot clear space around it. Summonses for obstruction violations, like litter violations, can be issued under § 3-2.14 by the Police, Litter Inspector, Parking Enforcement Officers, the Health Official or the Recycling Coordinator, and each violator can contest the citation at a municipal court hearing.