Albany, NY Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- 24 hours after snowfall ends
- First-offense fine
- $100
- Repeat fines
- up to $300 per violation
- City cleanup
- billed to owner, min. $75
- Dumping into street
- prohibited
Summary
Albany property owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall ends, or the city clears it and bills them, plus fines starting at $100.
Within 24 hours of the cessation of a snowfall and at such other occasions requiring the same, every owner or occupant of any house or other building and the owner or proprietor, lessee or person entitled to the possession of any vacant lot, parking lot or gasoline service station and every person having the charge of any church, cemetery, jail or other public building in this City shall clear the sidewalks in front of such house or other building and in front of such lot of snow and ice and keep them conveniently free therefrom or shall, in case the snow and ice are so congealed that they cannot be removed without injury to the pavement, cause said snow and ice to be strewn with ashes, sand or the like and shall also at all times keep such sidewalk clean and free from all dirt, filth or other obstruction or encumbrances so as to allow the use of said sidewalks in an easy and commodious manner. Such snow and ice removal shall be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,[1] Pub. L. No. 101-336, 104 Stat. 328 (1990) and any regulations or guidelines promulgated thereunder. [Amended 10-2-2017 by Ord. No. 38.91.17] [1] Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
B.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 323-21 requires every owner or occupant of a house, building, vacant lot, parking lot, or gas station to clear abutting sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowfall ends, or spread ashes or sand if ice can't be safely chipped away; clearing must meet ADA standards. Owners may not shovel or dump that snow into the street or onto a public sidewalk. If an owner doesn't comply, the Commissioner of General Services may have the walk cleared and bill the owner at least $75, which becomes a tax lien if unpaid; § 323-23 sets separate fines of $100 to $300 per violation, rising with repeat offenses in the same year.
Violations & Fines
Missing the 24-hour deadline draws a $100 fine for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $300 for a third and every later violation in the same calendar year; the city may clear the walk and bill the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to clear snow from my sidewalk in Albany?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk in time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
New York rules heatmap·Compare Albany to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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