Cheektowaga, NY Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must clear snow
- Owner and occupant, jointly
- Enforcing agencies
- Police Dept. & Code Enforcement
- First-offense fine
- $25 to $250
- Third-offense fine
- $100 to $1,000
- Injury liability
- Owner/occupant liable
Summary
Cheektowaga makes property owners and occupants jointly responsible for clearing snow, ice and debris from the sidewalk in front of their premises. Failure to keep it safe can mean a fine plus liability for anyone injured on the ice.
The owner or occupant of any premises adjoining any street where a sidewalk has been laid shall maintain and keep the sidewalk on such street in good repair and free and clear of snow, ice, dirt and any other material, obstruction or substance. The owner and the occupant shall be jointly and severally responsible for compliance with the provisions hereof. Said responsibility shall include liability for injuries that result from failure to maintain, repair and keep said sidewalk in a safe condition for usage, or to remove, snow, ice or other obstructions therefrom.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4996449; v35 updated 2026-05-26; through 05-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 210-14 requires the owner or occupant of any premises adjoining a street with a sidewalk to keep that sidewalk free and clear of snow, ice, dirt and any other material, obstruction or substance, in addition to keeping it in good repair. The owner and occupant are jointly and severally responsible, meaning the Town can pursue either one, and that responsibility explicitly includes liability for injuries resulting from a failure to remove snow, ice or other obstructions or to otherwise keep the walk safe for use. Enforcement under § 210-14.1, added in 2015, is carried out by the Cheektowaga Police Department and the Town's Code Enforcement Officers, who can act on complaints of an unshoveled or icy sidewalk without waiting for a private lawsuit.
Violations & Fines
Violations of § 210-14 fall under Chapter 210's general penalty schedule in § 210-15: a first offense carries a fine of $25 to $250 or up to 15 days' imprisonment, a second offense within the look-back period carries $50 to $500 or up to 15 days, and a third or subsequent offense carries $100 to $1,000 or up to 15 days, with fine and imprisonment available together at each tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for shoveling the sidewalk in Cheektowaga?
Can I be sued if someone slips on ice on my sidewalk in Cheektowaga?
What is the fine for not clearing snow from a sidewalk in Cheektowaga?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cheektowaga
New York rules heatmap·Compare Cheektowaga to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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Snow & Sidewalk Clearing in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Erie County handle snow & sidewalk clearing.