Bethlehem, PA Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Bethlehem's sidewalk snow-clearing duty is codified at §721.03 of the Codified Ordinances (Article 721 - Streets and Sidewalks). The local section reads, in substance, that no person owning, controlling or occupying any lot adjoining or fronting upon any of the streets, sidewalks, lanes, alleys, pavements, footways or rights-of-way in the City shall allow or permit any mud, sand, gravel, leaves, snow, ice or rubbish of any sort or description to be or remain upon the pavements, sidewalks, footways or rights-of-way in front of or adjoining such lot for a period longer than twenty-four hours after the rain, snow, sleet or hail which is the cause thereof has ceased to fall. The Department of Public Works' Snow Plowing/Removal FAQ supplies the operational compliance standard: it shall be considered compliance if a cleared portion three (3) feet in width has been made upon such sidewalk or footpath. Questions about un-shoveled sidewalks are directed to the Engineering Bureau at 610-865-7063. The duty extends to the corner handicap (ADA) ramp: the FAQ confirms 'the abutting property owner is responsible to clean the handicapped ramp to make safe passage to the roadway pavement.' Section §721.03 also imposes a parallel duty in the opposite direction: any person owning, controlling and/or plowing an off-street parking lot area, sidewalk, or other property who plows or causes to place snow into the street, sidewalk, alley, pavement, footway, or right-of-way - or repositions such materials from the parking lane to the traffic lane causing an obstruction - is guilty of maintaining a nuisance. Police will issue citations for this behavior (per the DPW FAQ).