Snow Removal Laws by City (2026)

Sidewalk Shoveling Deadlines & Fines

438 locations54 strict137 moderate247 permissive

Find the rules for your area:

Find out how long you have to shovel your sidewalk after a snowfall, how wide the path must be, and what happens if you don't comply.

The table below breaks down the rules across 43 states and 438 cities and counties. Every entry is based on the actual municipal code for that location, not a guess or a generic template. Click any location to see the full ordinance details, including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.

Rules by State

Each state is colored by the most common local rule. Click a state to see the cities and counties we cover there.

State	Locations	Strict	Moderate	Permissive	Overall
California	85	-	12	73	Few Restrictions
Texas	55	-	-	55	Few Restrictions
Florida	43	-	1	42	Few Restrictions
New York	29	17	12	-	Heavy Restrictions
Illinois	17	2	14	1	Some Restrictions
New Jersey	16	5	10	1	Some Restrictions
Ohio	15	3	12	-	Some Restrictions
Arizona	15	-	-	15	Few Restrictions
Washington	12	-	4	8	Few Restrictions
Massachusetts	12	7	5	-	Heavy Restrictions
Colorado	11	1	10	-	Some Restrictions
Hawaii	11	-	-	11	Few Restrictions
Georgia	11	-	-	11	Few Restrictions
North Carolina	9	-	-	9	Few Restrictions
Pennsylvania	7	1	6	-	Some Restrictions
Michigan	7	3	4	-	Some Restrictions
Virginia	7	-	5	2	Some Restrictions
Maryland	6	5	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
Oklahoma	5	-	4	1	Some Restrictions
Utah	5	1	4	-	Some Restrictions
Mississippi	5	-	-	5	Few Restrictions
Missouri	5	-	5	-	Some Restrictions
Oregon	4	-	4	-	Some Restrictions
Tennessee	4	-	1	3	Few Restrictions
Connecticut	4	-	4	-	Some Restrictions
Indiana	4	-	4	-	Some Restrictions
Nevada	4	-	1	3	Few Restrictions
Nebraska	3	2	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
Wisconsin	3	1	2	-	Some Restrictions
Kentucky	3	-	3	-	Some Restrictions
Louisiana	3	-	-	3	Few Restrictions
Minnesota	3	3	-	-	Heavy Restrictions
Alabama	2	-	-	2	Few Restrictions
District of Columbia	2	1	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
New Mexico	2	-	-	2	Few Restrictions
Kansas	2	-	2	-	Some Restrictions
Delaware	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
Rhode Island	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
South Dakota	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
New Hampshire	1	1	-	-	Heavy Restrictions
Iowa	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
Alaska	1	1	-	-	Heavy Restrictions
Idaho	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions

How Cities Compare

These rankings are based on verified municipal code data, not opinion. A "strict" rating means the city has heavy restrictions, high fines, or outright bans. "Permissive" means few or no local restrictions beyond state law.

Most Restrictive

1
Queens County, NY11 a.m. next day
NYC Admin Code 16-123 gives Queens owners 4 hours to clear snow after it ends (or 11 a.m. next day for overnight storms). DSNY fines run 100 to 350 dollars plus tort liability.
2
Hudson County, NJ12 hours (daylight)
Hudson County sidewalk snow clearing is strictly enforced. Jersey City Code §254 requires snow/ice cleared within 12 hours of snowfall end during daylight, or by 12 PM next day. Hoboken requires clearing within 24 hours. Bayonne 24 hours. Corner properties must also clear curb ramps and crosswalk approaches. Property owners face liability for slip-and-fall injuries.
3
Broome County, NY24 hours
Binghamton Code Ch. 365 requires sidewalk snow/ice removal within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Owner liable; city may clear and bill property owner plus administrative fee.
4
Yonkers, NY6 hours after end
Under Chapter 103 Article II, sidewalks must be cleared within 6 hours of daytime snowfall ending, or before noon the day after nighttime snowfall. A 3-foot area around fire hydrants must also be cleared.
5
Westland, MIFull sidewalk width
Westland requires owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after a snowfall ends, with the city authorized to clear at the owner's expense.
6
Cambridge, MA12 daylight hours after snow ends
Under Cambridge ordinance and MGL c.85 s.5, property owners must clear snow and ice from abutting sidewalks within specified hours after a storm ends. Fines escalate with repeat violations.
7
Newton, MA12 daylight hours after snow stops
Newton requires property owners to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting their property within 12 hours of daylight after snow stops falling. Fines apply for non-compliance.
8
Waltham, MAApproximately 36 inches
Waltham property owners must clear snow and ice from abutting sidewalks within a set time after snowfall ends. The rule follows MGL c.85 s.5 authority and applies to residential and commercial abutters.
9
Somerville, MA6 hours after snow ends
Somerville requires abutters to clear sidewalks within 6 hours of daytime snowfall ending or by 10 am if the storm ended overnight. Fines escalate and the city can clear and bill the owner.
10
Wayne County, MI$50+ for unshoveled walks
Wayne County cities require sidewalk snow clearing within 12-24 hours after a storm. Detroit plowing has been politically contentious. The county itself clears only county roads.

Fewest Restrictions

1
San Bernardino County, CA
San Bernardino County has no countywide snow-clearing ordinance, but mountain communities (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline) customarily expect owners to keep walkways passable.
2
Humble, TX
Humble does not have a snow and ice sidewalk clearing ordinance. Southeast Texas rarely experiences winter weather events. When ice storms occur, the city coordinates emergency response. Property owners are encouraged to clear walkways for safety but face no specific clearing mandate.
3
Jefferson County, AL
Jefferson County experiences rare snowfall, averaging 1-2 inches annually. No formal snow clearing ordinances exist. Memorable events include the January 2014 'Snowmageddon' (2-3 inches) that paralyzed Birmingham. General sidewalk maintenance for debris and vegetation still applies year-round. Winter storm liability governed by general negligence.
4
Tarrant County, TX
Tarrant County has no snow or ice sidewalk clearing ordinance in unincorporated areas. DFW snowfall is rare. Owners may face premises liability only if they create or worsen a hazard through negligence.
5
Allen, TX
Allen does not have a snow or ice sidewalk clearing ordinance. Snow and ice events are rare in North Texas. During infrequent winter storms, the city treats major roadways but does not require property owner sidewalk clearing.
6
Euless, TX
Euless has no snow removal ordinance because meaningful snowfall in DFW is rare. Sidewalks must be kept safe year-round under property maintenance code, but no mandatory ice clearing.
7
Grapevine, TX
Grapevine does not have a snow removal ordinance because significant snowfall is rare in North Texas. Property owners are, however, responsible for keeping sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of obstructions such as vegetation, branches, and debris year-round. Ice from rare winter storms is generally not an enforced requirement.
8
Haltom City, TX
Haltom City has no ordinance requiring homeowners to clear snow or ice from public sidewalks. Given the rare occurrence of winter weather in North Texas, clearing is voluntary but encouraged for neighbor safety.
9
Baytown, TX
Baytown does not have a snow removal ordinance because snowfall is extremely rare in the Gulf Coast region. The city does not require property owners to clear snow from sidewalks. In the rare event of winter weather, the city coordinates emergency response through its Office of Emergency Management.
10
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm does not impose a mandatory snow or ice removal ordinance on residential property owners. North Texas receives limited snowfall, and the town handles public road clearing through its public works department.

All 438 Locations

Every city and county below has verified ordinance data for this topic. Click any location for the full breakdown including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions come from the most common things people ask about this topic across different cities.

How fast do I have to shovel snow in Queens?

Within 4 hours after snow ends if it stopped between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. If it stopped after 5 p.m. or overnight, you have until 11 a.m. the next day. You must maintain a 4-foot clear path, remove ice, and never push snow into the street or onto curb ramps.

Can I be sued if someone falls on my Queens sidewalk snow?

Generally yes. Under NYC Admin Code 7-210, adjacent property owners are liable for injuries from uncleared sidewalks. Owner-occupied 1, 2, or 3 family homes used exclusively for residential purposes retain a narrow exception to tort liability but must still comply with the DSNY clearing mandate and can still be fined.

Is it really my responsibility to clear the city sidewalk?

Yes. Oregon common law and Beaverton/Hillsboro ordinances place the duty on the abutting property owner, and slip-and-fall liability follows.

Does the city plow my sidewalk?

No. Cities plow streets and may treat main arterials with salt/sand, but sidewalk clearing is always the property owner's duty.

Do I have to shovel my sidewalk after snow in Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead?

San Bernardino County does not require sidewalk snow clearing by ordinance, but most HOAs in mountain communities like Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Running Springs require it. Check your CC&Rs.

Does the county plow my driveway?

No. San Bernardino County Public Works only plows county-maintained public roads. Private driveways and private streets are the owner's or HOA's responsibility.

Does Humble require snow removal from sidewalks?

No. Humble does not have a snow or ice removal ordinance. Southeast Texas very rarely experiences winter weather accumulation. Property owners are encouraged but not required to clear walkways.

What happens during ice storms in Humble?

The city activates emergency management protocols and coordinates with Harris County and state agencies. Residents should monitor official city communications for weather advisories and shelter locations.