UNION CITY, N.J. — Walk down many residential streets in Union City and the problem is difficult to miss. Vehicles extend out of private driveways, with bumpers, tires and sometimes entire vehicles blocking public sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to step into the street.
It’s not just an inconvenience. Under New Jersey law, parking on a sidewalk is prohibited. N.J.S.A. 39:4-138 specifically bars motorists from standing or parking “on a sidewalk,” except in limited circumstances such as avoiding a traffic conflict or complying with police directions.
“They steal our sidewalks and they steal our ability park,” said Leroy Truth, a North Jersey watchdog. “They steal a parking space on the street. All of these people are breaking the law. Those spaces are given out by the bandit, our shameless mayor.”
Despite that clear prohibition, sidewalk parking has become commonplace throughout parts of Hudson County, particularly in densely populated communities where off-street parking is scarce. Residents have long complained that sidewalks intended for pedestrians have effectively become extensions of private driveways.
Sidewalk space is being stolen all over Hudson County, New Jersey.
— NJ Transit Rude Zone 🚌🚈 (@rudezoneNJT) August 18, 2026
Every town in Hudson County has cars parked covering half or covering the entire sidewalk.
The parking authorities in Hudson County are useless.
This video shows a single block in Union City, NJ, with stolen… pic.twitter.com/5D2w5EBzKL
Union City itself has acknowledged the problem. In a pedestrian safety bulletin issued by the city’s Department of Public Safety, officials warned residents that vehicles may not extend over sidewalks, explaining that blocked sidewalks force pedestrians, parents pushing strollers, people walking pets and individuals using wheelchairs into traffic.
“Vehicles blocking sidewalks—even when only partially extending from a driveway—are subject to tickets,” the city’s safety notice states.
Yet footage from a single Union City block appears to show numerous vehicles partially or completely obstructing sidewalks, raising questions about how consistently those rules are enforced.
The city’s own ordinances reinforce state law, but Leroy Truth has documented that daily violations are note enforced by the city.
Union City’s traffic code incorporates New Jersey’s parking restrictions and includes a specific sidewalk parking violation carrying a $45 fine. Parking enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the Union City Parking Authority and/or Union City Police Department.
The issue extends beyond convenience. Sidewalks exist to provide a safe route for pedestrians, including people using wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. When sidewalks are blocked, many pedestrians have little choice but to enter the roadway alongside moving traffic.
Union City is not alone. Neighboring municipalities including Guttenberg and Kearny also prohibit vehicles from blocking sidewalks, even when parked in private driveways. Guttenberg imposes a $65 fine for sidewalk obstruction, while Kearny’s ordinances similarly prohibit parked vehicles from blocking pedestrian walkways.
Whether those ordinances are consistently enforced across Hudson County remains an open question.
For now, the disconnect is difficult to ignore. State law prohibits sidewalk parking. Union City’s own safety campaign warns against it. Municipal ordinances establish fines for it.
Yet on some blocks, vehicles continue occupying public sidewalks with little visible indication of enforcement.
- New Jersey law prohibits parking on sidewalks under N.J.S.A. 39:4-138.
- Union City’s Department of Public Safety has warned residents not to block sidewalks with vehicles.
- Union City’s municipal code includes a $45 sidewalk parking violation.
- Blocked sidewalks can force pedestrians, including wheelchair users and parents with strollers, into traffic.
- The extent of enforcement remains unclear and could be examined through public records.
FAQ
- Is parking on a sidewalk legal in New Jersey?
No. N.J.S.A. 39:4-138 generally prohibits standing or parking on a sidewalk except in limited circumstances. - Does Union City have its own sidewalk parking ordinance?
Yes. Union City incorporates state parking restrictions and includes a sidewalk parking violation carrying a $45 fine. - How can enforcement be measured?
Parking summons records, complaint logs and enforcement data obtained through public records requests could show how frequently sidewalk parking violations are cited.
Sources: New Jersey Statute 39:4-138, Union City Department of Public Safety Pedestrian Safety Alert, Union City Municipal Code, Union City Parking Penalty Ordinance, Guttenberg Municipal Code, Kearny Municipal Code, NJ Transit Rude Zone/X , Leroy Truth
