Bethlehem, PA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Public Works
- Repair deadline
- 30 days after written notice
- Appeal body
- Board of Appeals, Article 150
- Sidewalk/curb permit fee
- $50, 90-day validity
- Warrant of survey fee
- $100 first 50 feet
- First offense penalty
- $200 fine or 30 days
- Lien interest cap
- 3% simple, first 24 months
Summary
In Bethlehem, the owner of any property abutting a public street or alley must keep the sidewalk, curb, and gutter in good, safe condition and must repair or replace them within 30 days of a written notice from the Director of Public Works. Ignore the notice and the City does the work itself and bills the owner.
(a) Every owner of property abutting any public street or public alley in the City shall reconstruct, repair and/or replace sidewalk and/or curb and/or gutter upon service of a written notice to do so by the Director of Public Works. (b) Every owner of property abutting any public street or public alley in the City shall reconstruct, repair and/or replace such sidewalk and/or curb and/or gutter within thirty (30) days after service of the written notice from the Director of Public Works as herein provided, unless said notice or a subsequent notice shall specifically provide for a longer period. ... (e) Every owner of land abutting any public street or alley in the city shall have the responsibility to maintain existing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters on such land or abutting such land in a good and safe condition.
Full Breakdown
01 puts the repair duty on the abutting owner, not the City. Once the Director of Public Works serves written notice that a sidewalk, curb, or gutter needs reconstruction, repair, or replacement, the owner has 30 days to complete the work unless the notice sets a longer deadline. All work must follow the line and grade set by the Public Works Engineering Bureau, and the owner must give the Bureau at least 24 hours' notice before pouring concrete so it can be inspected, then request a final inspection when the job is done.
01(e) makes the maintenance duty ongoing: owners must keep existing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters in good and safe condition at all times, not only after a notice. 02 lets the Director order one built, but only after documenting a serious pedestrian safety issue that has no other fix; on double-frontage lots the City pays for a rear sidewalk it requires. 60 for each additional foot. 06). 01(c)).
Violations & Fines
Under § 909.99, violating Article 909, including failing to comply with a repair notice or obstructing the right-of-way, carries a $200 fine or 30 days in jail for a first offense, $500 or 60 days for a second, and $1,000 or 90 days for each later offense. If an owner does not act after notice, § 909.05 lets the City perform the sidewalk, curb, or gutter work itself, charge the cost to the owner, and file a municipal lien, with interest capped at 3% simple interest for the first 24 months after the work is finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to fix a broken sidewalk in Bethlehem?
How long do I have to make repairs once Bethlehem notifies me?
What happens if I don't fix my sidewalk after getting a notice?
Do I need a permit to repair my own sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bethlehem
Compare Bethlehem to another location·View the Pennsylvania sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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