Irvington, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Township Code § 555-68
- Who is responsible
- Abutting property owner
- Cleanliness zone
- 18 inches from curb/gutter
- First violation fine
- $50
- Fourth violation fine
- $750, court appearance required
Summary
Irvington places sidewalk repair squarely on the abutting property owner: the Township can order repairs at the owner's expense once a walk goes out of repair, and owners must also keep sidewalks, curbs and catch basins clean within 18 inches of the curb.
A. All sidewalks in streets, roads and highways in the Town shall be kept in good repair and condition to ensure for the public the safe and comfortable use of the same, and if any owner of land in front of which sidewalks have been constructed shall allow such sidewalk to become out of repair and unsafe for public use, the Municipal Council, through the Director of the Department of Public Works or his designated agent, may order the owner to construct and repair such sidewalk at the owner's expense. ... B. Any person owning any land fronting upon any public street or highway within the Township of Irvington shall keep all sidewalks, curbs, monolithic curbs, gutters, catch basins and driveway aprons fronting said land clean and free of debris, trash and in good repair up 18 inches from the curb/gutter. Specifically, property owners are required to remove trash and other debris from above and around the catch basins and ensure no garbage is on top of storm drains.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4996945; v39 updated 2026-07-13; through 07-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Township Code § 555-68, part of an article adopted in 1981 and last amended in 2020, makes abutting property owners responsible for keeping their sidewalks in usable condition. Subsection A requires that all sidewalks be kept in good repair and condition for the safe and comfortable use of the public, and if an owner allows the sidewalk fronting their land to fall out of repair and become unsafe, the Municipal Council, acting through the Director of Public Works or a designated agent, may order the owner to construct and repair it at the owner's own expense.
Subsection B goes further on routine upkeep: any owner of land fronting a public street must keep the sidewalks, curbs, monolithic curbs, gutters, catch basins and driveway aprons in front of that land clean and free of debris and trash, and in good repair, for 18 inches out from the curb or gutter, including removing trash from on and around catch basins so no garbage sits on top of storm drains. When repairs are actually made, § 555-69 requires the same kind of material and manner of construction as the sidewalk being replaced, and the Director of Public Works may inspect the work under § 555-70.
A separate but related duty appears in Article IV: owners and tenants must clear snow and ice from abutting sidewalks within 24 hours after precipitation stops falling (§ 555-73).
Violations & Fines
Section 555-72 sets the penalty schedule for this article: $50 for a first violation, $250 for a second, $500 for a third, and $750 for a fourth violation, which also requires a mandatory court appearance. Offenders must still apply for the required permits even after being penalized, and the Township can perform the repair itself and bill the owner if the owner fails to act after being ordered to do so under § 555-68A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to repair a broken sidewalk in Irvington?
Do I have to keep the area around a catch basin clean in Irvington?
What is the fine for not fixing a sidewalk in Irvington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Irvington
Compare Irvington to another location·View the New Jersey sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Essex County handle sidewalk repair.