Can my town fine me for not clearing the sidewalk?
Yes, in most northern NJ towns. The fine is set by each town, and in 108 of the 171 towns we checked the town can also clear the sidewalk itself and bill the cost to the property as a lien.
The amounts vary a lot. Paterson's fine is $50 plus $30 in court costs. Garfield starts at $150 and reaches $2,000 for repeat offenses in a year. Passaic fines a commercial owner $200 per offense against $100 for a homeowner.
Some towns add a penalty on top of the clearing cost. Emerson and Ogdensburg charge the cost plus 50%, and Sussex Borough can bill double the actual cost if it is still not done after notice.
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 plow contractor push snow into the street?
- 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.