Lower Paxton, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 162-9 of the Lower Paxton Township Code, part of Chapter 162 (Shade Tree Commission), sets the clearance rule for anything growing over a public walkway. All branches of shade trees must be kept trimmed to maintain a minimum height of 12 feet where they overhang a street and eight feet where they overhang a sidewalk. The rule is not limited to trees in the right-of-way: shade trees standing on private property with branches overhanging sidewalks or streets must also be kept pruned by the owner so the lowest branches meet the same heights.

If an owner neglects or refuses to prune within the time given in a written notice, the Township can perform the work at the owner's expense. Under § 162-23, payment is due 30 days after the Township invoices the property owner, and an unpaid balance is treated as an assessment on the property, with the Township Solicitor filing a lien. The Shade Tree Commission can permit deviations under § 162-22 when literal enforcement would be impossible, impractical, or not in the best interest of the Township or the trees. Section 162-13 adds that branches cannot block light from streetlights.

Other chapters keep sidewalks clear in different ways. Section 196-31 requires the owner, tenant or occupier to remove snow, ice and slush from sidewalks along the property within 24 hours after snow stops falling, leaving free passage for pedestrians at least 36 inches wide, and the duty tolls during a declared snow emergency. Section 196-30 bars pushing snow or ice from sidewalks onto a public street, alley or other publicly maintained property. Section 137-9 prohibits licensed peddlers and solicitors from occupying any fixed location on a sidewalk. Section 106-15 separately bans permanent obstructions such as fences, gates, chains, bars and pipes in or on any street, which that article defines as a roadway accessible to the public for vehicular traffic.