Lakewood, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who maintains
- Abutting property owner (§ 20-2.1)
- Township repair cost
- Billed back to the owner
- Permit needed for
- New construction or removal of sidewalk
- Small-repair exception
- Under 8 lineal feet, no permit
- Township-ordered work cost share
- 98% owner, 2% Township
Summary
Lakewood Township places sidewalk, driveway apron and curb upkeep on the abutting property owner under Code § 20-2.1. If the Township ends up repairing a sidewalk itself, the owner is billed for the cost, and any new construction or removal needs an Engineer's permit first.
It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or remove, or cause to be constructed or removed, any sidewalk, driveway apron, curb or gutter or any part thereof within any public right-of-way in the Township without first having obtained a permit to do so from the Township Engineer, Property owners shall be responsible for maintaining sidewalks, driveway aprons, and concrete curbs. In the event that the Township should repair any sidewalk, driveway apron, concrete curb, or gutter, the Township shall be reimbursed by the owner.
Full Breakdown
1 states plainly that 'Property owners shall be responsible for maintaining sidewalks, driveway aprons, and concrete curbs. ' The same section requires a permit from the Township Engineer before anyone constructs or removes a sidewalk, driveway apron, curb or gutter within the public right-of-way. 2 lists what the permit application must contain: the applicant's and property owner's names and addresses, the contractor performing the work, the estimated cost, and a line-and-grade plan showing the work's location, width and relation to the street grade. 4 requires two business days' notice to the Township Engineer before pouring concrete so the work can be inspected.
5: initial sidewalk installation in a major subdivision already covered by Planning Board performance guarantees, and repair or replacement of less than eight lineal feet of existing sidewalk. 6 lets the Township Committee order sidewalk or curb construction Township-wide by resolution; when it does, abutting owners pay 98% of the cost while the Township covers corner-lot intersections in full and 2% of other construction costs.
Violations & Fines
Constructing, removing or replacing a sidewalk, driveway apron, curb or gutter in the public right-of-way without the § 20-2.1 permit is unlawful, and work done out of compliance with the Township Engineer's approved forms and grades under § 20-2.3c can be ordered removed and redone at the owner's expense. An owner who ignores a Municipal Manager repair notice under § 20-2.6a also faces Township-performed repair billed back to the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Lakewood homeowner legally required to fix a broken sidewalk?
Do I need a permit just to replace a small section of cracked sidewalk?
What if the Township orders sidewalk replacement on my whole street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
Compare Lakewood to another location·View the New Jersey sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle sidewalk repair.