Can my plow contractor push snow into the street?
No, in most New Jersey towns. Ordinances commonly ban putting snow from a private lot, driveway or sidewalk into the road, and some fine the plow operator directly.
Wyckoff fines the plow operator who pushes a private lot's snow onto a public road $250, then $500. Florham Park holds property owners responsible for the actions of the contractors they hire, so the owner can be on the hook for the plow's choice.
Rural towns with few sidewalks often have this rule even when they have no sidewalk deadline. Wantage, Montague, Lafayette, Stillwater and Frankford all ban it in one form or another.
The fix is planning. A site plan that marks where piles go before the season means nobody decides at 3 a.m. to push it over the curb.
Go deeper
More on sidewalks & nj town rules
- How long do I have to clear my sidewalk after it snows in New Jersey?
- Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of a business in NJ?
- Can my town fine me for not clearing the sidewalk?
- Is rock salt banned on sidewalks anywhere in New Jersey?
- Who is responsible for snow removal at a commercial property, the landlord or the tenant?
- Do I need a permit to plow or haul snow in New Jersey?
From JRW Services LLC, commercial snow and ice management across Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Morris and Warren counties, NJ. All answers
Need this handled at your property?
Call (973) 459-0074 or send the form, and we will walk the site and put it in writing before the first storm.