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

Chapter 12.04 of the New Brunswick Municipal Code puts sidewalk and curb upkeep on the private owner, not on the city. Section 12.04.010 makes it the duty of any owner of any lands in the city to keep sidewalks and curbs maintained and properly repaired so as to minimize any endangerment to the public health, safety and welfare of anyone using them. Section 12.04.020 addresses liability directly: any injury from poorly maintained or defective sidewalks and curbs is solely the responsibility of the owner or owners of the premises abutting or adjoining them.

Cost and materials follow the same line. Under Section 12.04.030(D), sidewalks and curbs are constructed or repaired and laid at the cost and expense of the owner or owners of land in front of which the work is done. The work uses good quality masonry material or concrete built to the specifications of Chapter 12.08, unless the city council permits otherwise by resolution for good cause shown. Where the general width of the sidewalk on the block exceeds five feet, a sidewalk laid or repaired must conform to the width of the other sidewalks on the block.

The George Street Pedestrian Mall is the one special case. Its brick sidewalk is repaired to a special construction standard. If an owner or tenant of abutting property damages the brick, the city replaces or repairs the damaged portions and charges the responsible party. No other party is permitted to repair or replace any part of that walkway without approval from the city engineer.

Section 12.08.020 requires a written permit approved by the city engineer before anyone constructs, removes, replaces or repairs any sidewalk, curbing or driveway. The permit names the place, the character of the work and the time allowed, and its effective period is not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive calendar days unless the engineer extends it on written request. Under Section 12.08.040(B) the permit fee is $30.00 for up to 100 square feet, $50.00 for 101-500 square feet and $100.00 for more than 500 square feet, covering up to two inspections. Owners of commercial property, along with their tenants and occupants, carry a further duty under Section 12.04.050 to clean foreign substances such as oil, grease, paint, liquids and debris off the abutting sidewalk, across the entire width to the gutter.