New Brunswick, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 12.12 (Street and Sidewalk Obstructions) starts from a flat prohibition. Section 12.12.010 bars any person from obstructing the free and lawful passage of pedestrians and vehicles on the streets and sidewalks of the city by placing or maintaining any table, stand, show case, box, barrel, can, package, equipment, materials, barricades or thing whatsoever on or over a street or sidewalk, or in any other manner whatsoever. Section 12.12.030 gives the police department full power to prevent obstructions and to remove them after reasonable notice to the owner of the abutting premises.

Section 12.12.020 lists what the chapter does not reach: loading and unloading of goods from vehicles, limited to the minimum obstruction that is necessary and unavoidable and never beyond thirty (30) minutes; garbage, ashes or refuse receptacles lawfully placed for collection; and temporary or permanent obstructions approved by council resolution on a showing of public convenience or necessity. Sidewalk cafes are exempt too, on conditions: hours from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight daily, a clear straight passage of at least five feet at all times, insurance of $500,000.00 naming the city, and a sketch of tables, chairs and umbrellas approved by the city engineer and the director of policy, planning and economic development. Permanent cafe furniture needs a specific council resolution for periods not to exceed six months, annually, and those cafes carry $1,000,000.00 in insurance. Cafe permits cost $100.00 per table for wait service or $25.00 per table for self-service.

Two neighboring sections cover other right-of-way encroachments. Section 12.12.040 bars any hedge, fence or wall higher than two and one-half feet above curb level, or any obstruction to vision other than a post or tree not exceeding one square foot in cross-section, inside the triangle formed by the intersecting street lines and a line joining points twenty-five (25) feet from the intersection. Section 12.12.050 requires a written request to the city engineer before construction equipment is stored on the municipal right-of-way; approval needs at least $1,000,000.00 in general public liability insurance naming the city and an escrow the engineer sets at no more than $2,000.00.