Charleston, WV Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearing deadline
- 3 hours after snowfall ends
- Overnight snow deadline
- 11:00 a.m. next day
- Fine range
- $10.00 to $500.00
- Possible jail time
- up to 30 days
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 102-11
Summary
Charleston requires whoever occupies or owns a building or lot on a paved street to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of it within three hours of the snowfall, or by 11:00 a.m. if it fell overnight.
It shall be the duty of each individual person, incorporated society, public institution or other corporation using or occupying in any manner or for any purpose whatsoever any house, store, shop, stable or tenement of any kind, and all persons having charge of churches and public buildings of every description, and the owners of unoccupied houses and unimproved lots situated on any paved street in the city, and of their agents, within three hours after the fall of any snow (unless the snow shall have fallen between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., in which case it shall be removed before 11:00 a.m.), or in the case of the formation of any ice on the sidewalk, to remove or clear the snow and ice away, or cause it to be removed or cleared away from the pavements or sidewalks fronting the residences, stores, houses, churches, stables, buildings or lots so used, occupied or owned by them or under their charge, in such manner as to leave the sidewalk clean and free from snow and ice, and in such manner as not to obstruct the passage of the water in the gutters; and it shall further be the duty of such persons or their agents to keep the gutters leading to and the pavements or sidewalks situated in the front or at the rear or side of the tenements free from snow and ice and every obstruction, and free from dirt, trash and filth.
(Code 1975, § 28-11)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 102-11 puts the duty on anyone occupying or owning a house, store, shop, stable, tenement, church, public building, or unimproved lot on a paved street to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk fronting their property within three hours of the snowfall. Snow that falls between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. must be cleared by 11:00 a.m. Ice that forms on its own must also be cleared. The sidewalk must be left clean and free of snow and ice without blocking gutter drainage, and gutters must stay clear of snow, ice, dirt, and trash.
Violations & Fines
Violating this duty falls under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-8: a fine of $10.00 to $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each continuing day counting as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Charleston property owners have to clear sidewalk snow?
What happens if I don't clear ice off my Charleston sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
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