Perth Amboy, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Article IV of Chapter 386, Streets and Sidewalks, puts sidewalk upkeep on the private owner. Section 386-14A requires sidewalks on all streets in the City of Perth Amboy to be laid and maintained in a good and safe condition by the respective owner or owners of the land affected. Subsection B treats a failure to keep the abutting sidewalk free from dangerous conditions, or a failure to repair it, as a violation of the Article. Subsection C makes the owner liable to the City for all costs, including attorney's fees, that result from injuries to pedestrians.

Work in the public right-of-way needs paper first. Under § 386-15, no one removes or constructs a sidewalk, curb or gutter without a written application to, and approval from, the Director of the Department of Code Enforcement. The permit fee in § 386-15.1 is $75 for a detached one- or two-family dwelling and $100 for all other properties, plus a $50 City Engineer inspection fee for all properties. The Director can waive the permit fee for replacing a section of sidewalk no greater than twelve linear feet. Section 386-15.3 requires notice to Code Enforcement twenty-four hours before pouring or laying. Under § 386-15.2, concrete sidewalk cannot be replaced or covered with blacktop or similar material, a curb cut requires removing and replacing the entire section of curb or gutter, and breaking and recapping curbs is prohibited.

If an owner does not act, the City can. Section 386-16 lets the City require repairs, and after thirty days of neglect the Council can have the work done under the supervision of Code Enforcement. Section 386-17 requires written notice describing the property and the work, with thirty days after service to finish. Section 386-18 apportions the City's cost among the properties by frontage and makes the confirmed assessment a first and paramount lien, carrying interest and penalties at the rate for local improvement assessments. The governing body can provide for payment in installments.