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

' This targets the everyday practice of businesses pushing racks, sandwich boards or product displays onto the public walkway in front of a store. 160: the director of public works is 'authorized and empowered to execute the removal of any such impediment or obstruction' once five hours' notice has been given to the person who caused it. The city then certifies the removal cost to the department of public works through the city engineer; once verified, that cost 'shall be charged against such real estate so abutting upon such sidewalk or gutter,' becoming a lien and tax on the property, collected the same way as ordinary municipal taxes, with interest.

170: it does not apply to a person holding a city newspaper-stand permit, to newspaper stands that do not project more than three feet from the building line, to licensed public market places regulated by the public buildings, markets and docks division, or to building materials and construction equipment permitted under the building code. Outside those carve-outs, a merchant cannot simply claim the sidewalk in front of their storefront for merchandise display without risking city-ordered removal and a property lien for the cost.