Abington, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Township Code Section 143-19, adopted in 1978 under Chapter 143's Article III, 'Repair of Curbs,' states plainly that the owner of abutting property is responsible for keeping the curbs and sidewalks immediately in front of the property in good order and repair at the owner's own expense. When repairs are needed and the owner has not made them, Section 143-20 lets the Township Commissioners serve written notice requiring the owner to make the necessary corrections, delivered to the owner's residence or, if the owner lives outside the township, by posting on the premises and mailing a copy to the owner's last known address.

Under Section 143-21, the township may perform the repairs itself and collect the cost from the owner either when the owner submits a written request asking the township to do the work, or when the owner fails to comply with the notice within 30 days of service or posting. Section 143-22 sets how costs are split when the township does the work: the owner pays the full cost of repairing a straight curb or sidewalk, but for a monolithic combined curb and gutter the owner pays only 29% of the total cost, reflecting the curb section's share of the combined structure's cross-sectional area.

Any cost the township advances becomes a lien on the property from the date work begins, fixed by the Township Engineer and filed with the Township Secretary, collectible with interest as a municipal claim.