Millcreek, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, puts the obstruction duty on the owners of properties abutting a sidewalk within the right-of-way of a street or state highway: § 121-8B makes them responsible for ensuring the abutting sidewalk is not blocked or obstructed. Section 121-8D spells out what that covers. The owner, occupant, or tenant of every abutting property must keep the sidewalk clear of stone, dirt, glass, rubbish, garbage, refuse, wood, weeds, hedges, debris, or other matter or other obstructions, and anything on that list is to be removed immediately, with no grace period. The cleared path must expose the wearing surface to a width of not less than 48 inches or the actual width of the sidewalk, whichever is less. Hedges and weeds are on the printed list, so overgrowth counts as an obstruction. Material cleared from the sidewalk, or from any other part of the property, cannot be deposited in or upon a public street or highway between the curblines.

If an owner fails to act, the Township can post a notice giving 24 hours to remove the material. After that it can remove the material through an employee or contractor and charge the owner all costs and expenses, in addition to the article's penalties. An invoice unpaid 30 days after its date can be filed as a municipal lien, and in an emergency the Township can remove obstructions without notice.

Excavators working under a street opening permit have their own duty in § 121-30A: all sidewalks and foot ways must be kept in a safe and passable condition, and gutters must be left open so they do not obstruct the free passage of water. A public utility facility placed in a sidewalk is subject to applicable federal, state and local laws, and under § 121-8F the Township takes no responsibility for its location or condition.