Hamilton, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 435, carried over from Chapter 130, Article V of the 1994 Code, places sidewalk and curb maintenance squarely on the abutting property owner. Section 435-34 defines the responsibility zone as the area between the property line and the street line, which the article defines as the edge of the paved street surface, and requires the owner to keep the sidewalk, driveway apron and curb in that zone in good repair. If the Director of Public Works finds the area in a state of disrepair that endangers health and general welfare, § 435-35 authorizes an order requiring the owner to repair it within 10 days.

Should the owner refuse or neglect to fix the condition within 30 days of receiving that notice, § 435-36, as amended in 2013 by Ord. No. 13-003, lets the Director of Public Works have the Township perform the repair and certify the cost to the Director of Finance. That cost becomes a lien on the property, is added to the next tax assessment, bears interest at the same rate as taxes, and is collected and enforced the same way as delinquent property taxes.