Lower Merion, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Goods, boxes, stands on/above sidewalks
- Exception
- Bicycle stands with Police Dept permit
- Exception
- Ordinary delivery/transport traffic
- Penalty
- Up to $600 per offense
- Enforcement
- Public Works officials, police
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Public Works Committee
Summary
Lower Merion Township makes it unlawful to place, pile or accumulate goods, merchandise, boxes or other articles on or above any public sidewalk under § 133-1, with narrow exceptions for ordinary delivery traffic and police-permitted bicycle stands in commercial districts; violators face a fine collected before a district magistrate.
§ 133-1. Placing of articles on sidewalks prohibited; exceptions. It is hereby declared unlawful for any person, partnership or corporation to place, pile or accumulate any goods, wares, merchandise, boxes, containers, stands, commodities or articles of any kind on or above any part of any of the public highways or sidewalks within the Township of Lower Merion, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent any such property from being taken to or from any premises in the ordinary course of delivery or transportation and provided further that nothing herein contained shall prevent the erection of bicycle stands on sidewalks in commercial districts, as such districts are defined in the Zoning Ordinance of the Township of Lower Merion, as amended, ... if a permit for erecting any such stand is first obtained from the Police Department.
Full Breakdown
Section 133-1 bars placing, piling or accumulating goods, wares, merchandise, boxes, containers, stands, commodities or any other articles on or above a public highway or sidewalk, with the only exceptions being property in ordinary transit to or from a premises and bicycle stands erected in a commercial district after the Police Department issues a permit. Section 133-2 separately bans hanging canvas signs, banners or similar advertising devices above sidewalks, except that the Department of Public Works may permit banners bearing an educational or civic organization's logo or slogan, in uniform sizes the Township sets. Anyone aggrieved by a Director of Public Works decision under this article can appeal in writing, verified by affidavit, to the Public Works Committee of the Board of Commissioners within 10 days under § 133-2.2. Township Public Works officials and police officers are directly empowered to write citations for violations of this article under § 133-3.1.
Violations & Fines
Violating the encroachment and obstruction rules of Article I carries a fine of up to $600 per offense under § 133-3, collected before a district magistrate. Township Public Works officials and police officers are empowered to write citations under § 133-3.1, and a party aggrieved by a Director of Public Works decision can appeal in writing to the Public Works Committee within 10 days under § 133-2.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a store display merchandise on the sidewalk in front of it?
Is there any way to legally put a bike rack on a commercial sidewalk?
What's the fine for blocking a sidewalk in Lower Merion?
Can I appeal if Public Works cites my sidewalk display?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lower Merion
Compare Lower Merion to another location·View the Pennsylvania sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Montgomery County handle obstruction rules.