Stafford Township, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 187, adopted 12-20-1994 by Ord. No. 94-118, puts the duty on the owner of the premises. Section 187-18 says the owners of premises abutting a sidewalk or street right-of-way in the Township shall not allow or cause the construction or placement of any permanent or temporary structure or obstruction in or on the sidewalk or right-of-way in front of the property. The word temporary matters: an item set down for a day is covered the same as one built to stay.

Five items are excepted, and only inside the curbline: mail boxes and newspaper delivery boxes on posts or poles; safety lighting not to exceed 18 inches in height; garbage bin enclosures; concrete or other approved material curbing that meets the height specifications in § 130-67; and basketball hoops as provided in Chapter 63. Anything else placed on the sidewalk or in the right-of-way in front of the property falls under the ban.

Other chapters close related gaps. Section 153-7, amended 5-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-15, bars parking any motor vehicle or trailer so that it obstructs any public sidewalk in Stafford Township. Section 102-2 makes it a violation to place, or have another person place, dumpsters, construction materials or portable storage facilities upon any public street or within any public right-of-way. If a dumpster, materials or storage unit in the street is judged an emergent safety issue by the Chief of Police and the Township Administrator, the Township can remove it (§ 102-3C).

Trees are handled through the Tree Ordinance. Under § 194-2 a nuisance tree includes one that obstructs the view of traffic signs or the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, and § 194-7F allows nuisance trees to be removed with no fee or replacement requirement.

The duty to keep a sidewalk in repair is a separate rule in Article V of the same chapter, which assigns repair and replacement cost to the abutting landowner.