Snow Removal Ordinances: Whose Sidewalk Is It? (2025-2026 Winter)

When snow falls, most people focus on clearing their driveways. But in many cities across the country, you are also legally responsible for clearing the public sidewalk adjacent to your property. Failure to do so can result in fines and, in some cases, liability if someone slips and falls. This article covers the rules that applied during the 2025-2026 winter season.

Property Owner Responsibility Is the Norm

In the majority of cities that experience regular snowfall, the property owner, not the city, is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk fronting their property. In Chicago, property owners and tenants must clear sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall ends. The city does not clear residential sidewalks; that burden falls entirely on the adjacent property owner. In Seattle, the requirement is the same: property owners must clear sidewalks of snow and ice, and the city can issue fines for non-compliance. In Dallas and Fort Worth, while snow is less frequent, the same principles apply when winter storms occur. These rules apply to both homeowners and commercial property owners, and in many cases, the lease transfers the obligation to the tenant.

Time Limits After Snowfall Vary by City

The window you have to clear your sidewalk after snow stops falling varies significantly by jurisdiction. Chicago allows 24 hours. Some suburbs require clearance within 12 hours of daylight after the snowfall ends. In Denver, the rule is 24 hours for residential properties and 4 hours for commercial properties. In cities across the Northeast, requirements range from 4 to 48 hours depending on the municipality. The clock typically starts when the snowfall ends, not when it begins, so a storm that lasts two days gives you until after it stops before the compliance window opens. During the 2025-2026 season, several cities clarified their timing rules after confusion during early-season storms.

Fines for Non-Compliance Can Add Up

Cities enforce snow removal ordinances with escalating fines. In Chicago, the fine for failing to clear a sidewalk is up to 500 dollars per violation. In Denver, fines range from 150 to 999 dollars. Some cities also impose the cost of city-contracted removal if they have to clear the sidewalk for you, which can be several hundred dollars. In practice, enforcement is often complaint-driven: a neighbor or pedestrian reports an uncleared sidewalk, and an inspector issues a citation. During the 2025-2026 winter, cities with 311 systems reported increased snow removal complaints compared to prior seasons, reflecting both heavier snowfall in some regions and greater public awareness of reporting tools.

Salt and De-Icer Restrictions Are Increasing

Environmental concerns have led several cities to restrict or discourage the use of rock salt and chemical de-icers on sidewalks. Salt runoff damages vegetation, contaminates water supplies, and corrodes infrastructure. In Seattle, the city recommends sand or gravel instead of salt and provides guidance on environmentally friendly alternatives. Some cities in the Chicago suburbs have restricted the types of de-icers that can be used near waterways. During the 2025-2026 season, cities in the Pacific Northwest issued expanded guidance on alternatives to traditional salt, including beet juice-based solutions and sand-salt mixtures that reduce chloride runoff. Check your city's recommendations before stocking up on de-icer.

Liability When Someone Slips on Your Sidewalk

This is the part that gets property owners' attention. In many jurisdictions, if someone slips and falls on an icy sidewalk that you were responsible for clearing, you can be held liable for their injuries. The specifics vary by state. Some states follow a "natural accumulation" rule, where property owners are not liable for natural snow and ice but become liable once they attempt to clear it and do a negligent job (for example, creating a slippery refrozen surface). Other states hold property owners liable for any failure to maintain safe conditions within the required timeframe. If you rent your property out, check your lease to see whether the tenant or landlord bears responsibility for snow removal, and make sure your insurance covers slip-and-fall liability.

Renters and Snow Removal

If you are a renter, your lease may or may not assign snow removal responsibility to you. In multi-unit buildings, the landlord typically handles exterior maintenance including snow removal. In single-family rentals, the lease often transfers this responsibility to the tenant. If your lease is silent on the issue, the default in most cities is that the property owner remains responsible. During the 2025-2026 season, tenant advocacy groups in Chicago and Seattle reminded renters that they should not be fined for a landlord's failure to clear snow unless the lease explicitly assigns that duty.