Winter Snow Removal Laws by City (2026)

Sidewalk Shoveling Deadlines & Fines

472 locations59 strict151 moderate262 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 45 states and 472 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	90	-	12	78	Few Restrictions
Texas	55	-	-	55	Few Restrictions
Florida	43	-	1	42	Few Restrictions
New York	31	17	13	1	Heavy Restrictions
Illinois	18	2	15	1	Some Restrictions
New Jersey	17	5	11	1	Some Restrictions
Ohio	16	3	13	-	Some Restrictions
Washington	15	-	5	10	Few Restrictions
Arizona	15	-	-	15	Few Restrictions
Colorado	13	1	12	-	Some Restrictions
Massachusetts	12	7	5	-	Heavy Restrictions
Pennsylvania	11	3	8	-	Some Restrictions
Michigan	11	3	7	1	Some Restrictions
Hawaii	11	-	-	11	Few Restrictions
Georgia	11	-	-	11	Few Restrictions
North Carolina	9	-	-	9	Few Restrictions
Virginia	7	-	5	2	Some Restrictions
Maryland	6	5	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
Missouri	6	-	5	1	Some Restrictions
Oklahoma	5	-	4	1	Some Restrictions
Utah	5	1	4	-	Some Restrictions
Mississippi	5	-	-	5	Few Restrictions
Minnesota	5	3	2	-	Heavy Restrictions
Indiana	5	-	4	1	Some Restrictions
Oregon	4	-	4	-	Some Restrictions
Kentucky	4	-	3	1	Some Restrictions
Tennessee	4	-	1	3	Few Restrictions
Connecticut	4	-	4	-	Some Restrictions
Nevada	4	-	1	3	Few Restrictions
Iowa	3	2	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
Nebraska	3	2	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
Wisconsin	3	1	2	-	Some Restrictions
Louisiana	3	-	-	3	Few Restrictions
Alabama	2	-	-	2	Few Restrictions
Arkansas	2	-	-	2	Few Restrictions
District of Columbia	2	1	1	-	Heavy Restrictions
New Mexico	2	-	-	2	Few Restrictions
New Hampshire	2	2	-	-	Heavy Restrictions
Kansas	2	-	2	-	Some Restrictions
South Carolina	1	-	-	1	Few Restrictions
Delaware	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
Rhode Island	1	-	1	-	Some Restrictions
South Dakota	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
Sioux City, IAWithin 12 hours of snow event end
Sioux City Municipal Code Section 17.24.010 requires property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 12 hours after a snow event ends. If snow or ice remains on the sidewalk more than 24 hours, the City may remove it and bill the owner. Snow blowers may be operated daily between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The rule applies to residential and commercial properties alike. State authority is Iowa Code §364.12(2)(b), which expressly empowers cities to require abutting owners to remove natural accumulations of snow and ice.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Scranton, PAWithin 24 hours after snow/ice stops
Scranton's sidewalk snow ordinance lives at Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) of the Code of the City of Scranton. Every owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, property agent, or other person responsible for any property must remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalk within 24 hours after snowfall ceases for residential properties, or within 4 hours for businesses, and must keep a path of at least 3 feet on residential sidewalks (entire sidewalk for businesses). If precipitation ceases during hours of darkness, the clearing window begins at daybreak. Throwing, shoveling, casting, or otherwise depositing snow or ice from sidewalks or driveways into the street or public highway is expressly prohibited.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.

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
Colonie, NY
Unlike most NY municipalities, the Town of Colonie clears Town-maintained sidewalks itself rather than placing the duty on abutting property owners. Public Works targets sidewalk clearing within 48-72 hours after a snowstorm. Town Code Chapter 162 (Streets and Sidewalks) sets the Town liability framework - the Town is not liable for snow/ice damages unless written prior-written notice was served on the Town Attorney specifying the exact location. The Town also advises residents not to shovel or push snow into streets. Authority: NY Town Law §65-a; NY Municipal Home Rule Law §10(1)(ii)(d)(3).
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.

All 472 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 long do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Sioux City?

12 hours after the snow event ends. Sioux City Municipal Code Section 17.24.010 requires property owners (residential and commercial) to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalk abutting their property within 12 hours of the end of a snow event. If you let the snow or ice sit longer than 24 hours, the City may dispatch a contractor to clear it and bill you the cost plus administrative fees. The 12-hour clock runs continuously and does not pause for nights, weekends, or holidays.

What happens if I don't shovel my Sioux City sidewalk?

If the snow or ice remains on the sidewalk for more than 24 hours, the City of Sioux City may remove it at your cost. Unpaid charges are assessed against your property in the same manner as a property tax under Iowa Code §364.12(3)(a) - that becomes a special-assessment lien attached to the parcel, collected through the Woodbury County Treasurer if unpaid, and survives if you sell. You may also be cited for the municipal infraction under Section 1.04.100. Iowa Code §364.12(2)(b) additionally exposes you to civil tort liability for slip-and-fall damages caused by your failure to remove.

What hours can I use a snow blower in Sioux City?

Snow blowers may be operated daily between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. inclusive in Sioux City. Operating outside that window is a noise-and-nuisance violation - even though the 12-hour shoveling deadline does not pause overnight, you cannot use a powered snow thrower from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Plan to shovel by hand during overnight hours if a late-night storm ends, or wait until 5 a.m. to use mechanical equipment. The City's Public Works Street Division clears streets and bridges (priority on arterials and bus routes) but does not clear public sidewalks - that is the owner's duty.

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.