Stafford Township, NJ Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who pays
- Owner of the land in front of the sidewalk or curb
- Repair permit fee
- None; permit required before work (§ 187-22)
- Line and grade
- Set by the Township Engineer at no cost
- Time to comply after notice
- Not less than 120 nor more than 180 days
- If notice is ignored
- Township does the work; cost becomes a lien on the land
- Township-paid repairs
- Work tied to Township road or drainage improvements (§ 187-28)
Summary
In Stafford Township the owner of the land in front of a sidewalk or curb pays to reconstruct, repair or replace it. The owner needs a Township permit first, which carries no fee, and the Township Engineer sets line and grade at no cost. After a Council notice, owners get not less than 120 nor more than 180 days to comply.
All sidewalks and curbs along any streets, roads and public rights-of-way in the Township of Stafford shall be reconstructed, repaired or replaced at the cost and expense of the owner or owners of the lands in front of which such sidewalks and curbs are constructed. ... Prior to replacing or repairing the curb or sidewalks, the property owner must obtain a permit from the Township of Stafford. The property owner will be required to submit an application form for the permit for the replacement or repair of curb and sidewalks. There shall be no fee charged for the issuance of the permit. ... requiring the necessary specified work to said curb and/or sidewalk to be done by said owner or occupants within a period of not less than 120 days nor more than 180 days from the date of service of such notice. ... Upon filing said certificate of costs, the amount of the cost of such work shall be and become a lien upon said abutting lands in front of which such work was done
Official source re-checked November 3, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4531624; v13 updated 2025-08-12; through 08-12-2025).
Full Breakdown
Article V of Chapter 187, adopted 12-19-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-73, assigns the cost. Section 187-20 says all sidewalks and curbs along any streets, roads and public rights-of-way in the Township of Stafford are reconstructed, repaired or replaced at the cost and expense of the owner or owners of the lands in front of which they are constructed.
The owner does not pay the Township to start. Section 187-22 requires a permit before replacing or repairing a curb or sidewalk, applied for on a Township form, and states there is no fee for the permit. Section 187-21 requires construction to follow specifications prepared by the Township Engineer, with copies provided to any property owner on request at no cost. Under § 187-23 the owner asks a Township Engineer to establish line and grade before work begins, and the Engineer does so at no cost.
The Township can force the work. Under § 187-24, when the Township Administrator determines, on advice from the Township Engineer or Township Construction Code Official, that curbs or sidewalks need repair or reconstruction, the Administrator advises the Township Council in writing, specifying the location and assessed owner. Under § 187-25 the Council decides whether the work is necessary and, if so, serves a written notice by resolution on the abutting owners or occupants. The notice sets a deadline of not less than 120 days nor more than 180 days from the date of service. Service follows N.J.S.A. 40:65-14 (§ 187-26).
The Township pays in two situations. Section 187-28 reserves the right to repair and replace sidewalks and curbs at no cost to the owner in conjunction with road or drainage improvements the Township undertakes on any Township road or street, and to build curbs and sidewalks at Township expense under N.J.S.A. 40:65-1 et seq. when the governing body decides it is in the best interest of the Township.
New construction is a different rule. Under § 187-12, building in the R-75 and R-90 Residential Zones requires the owner to install curbs or pay 120% of the Township Engineer's estimate in lieu.
Violations & Fines
Article V prints no fine. The consequence of ignoring a § 187-25 notice is in § 187-27: the Township Administrator, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:65-14, has the work done with municipal funds, the Township Engineer certifies the cost to the Tax Collector, and the cost becomes a lien on the abutting land. It is collected like other assessments for local improvements and bears interest at the same rate. The Township can also sue the owner to recover the amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays to fix a cracked sidewalk in front of my Stafford Township house?
Do I need a permit to repair or replace my sidewalk or curb?
How much time do I get after the Township sends a repair notice?
What happens if I do not make the repair?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stafford Township
Compare Stafford Township 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.