East Brunswick, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Section 189-29, added by Ord. No. 74-91-B on 7-22-74 and amended by Ord. No. 08-11 on 7-7-08, puts maintenance of the public sidewalk on the abutting owner. Subsection A says the sidewalk and curb shall be kept in good repair by the owner or owners of the property in front of which they are located. Subsection B extends that to any sidewalk or curb on a public street that is out of line or grade, broken or out of repair, which the owner re-lays or repairs. The duty does not apply while a sidewalk or curb is covered by a performance or maintenance bond, or to one installed incorrectly by a developer or contractor over which the Township has or had control.

The process runs on notice. When the Manager of Engineering Services or designee determines work is necessary, a notice is served directing completion within sixty (60) days after service. It must specify the character of the work, describe the property, and comply with N.J.R.S. 40:65-1, the statute the Township's text names. The owner gets an opportunity to be heard and to give satisfactory reasons why the work should not be done.

If the owner fails to act within sixty (60) days without a good and sufficient reason, the Manager of Engineering Services or designee can have the work done at the owner's cost, keeping an account. A report goes to the Township Clerk, the governing body confirms it after notice to the owner and files it with the Tax Collector, the assessment bears interest from confirmation, and it is a lien on the real estate collected like taxes. Subsection E, added 7-13-87, says the Township and its employees have no obligation to survey existing sidewalks or determine whether repairs are necessary. Related duties land on the same owner: § 189-1 snow clearing and the § 189-23 permit for constructing or removing a sidewalk.