Clarkstown, NY Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Removal deadline
- 36 hours after snow/ice falls or forms
- Applies to
- Sidewalks not designated school/arterial
- Excluded sidewalks
- Town-designated school and arterial walks
- Responsible party
- Owner, tenant or person in charge/control
- First-offense fine
- Up to $2,500
- Repeat-offense fine
- $2,500 to $15,000 by 3rd/4th offense
Summary
Clarkstown property owners must clear snow and ice from their abutting sidewalk within 36 hours of it falling or forming, under § 250-42B, with fines up to $2,500 for a first offense once the deadline is missed.
B. Every owner, lessee, tenant or other person having charge or control of any building or land abutting upon any public street or public place which has a sidewalk not designated school or arterial shall remove any snow or ice which shall fall, form or accumulate on such sidewalk within 36 hours after such snow or ice shall have fallen, formed or accumulated. ... Any person found guilty of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of up to $2,500. Any person found guilty of a second offense of any provision of this chapter within 18 months of the date of the first conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than $2,500 and not more than $5,000.
Full Breakdown
" The 36-hour clock applies to ordinary residential and commercial sidewalks; sidewalks the Town Board has designated as school sidewalks or arterial sidewalks are excluded from this owner duty because, under § 250-42A, the Town itself removes snow and ice from those. Section 250-42C reinforces the obligation by separately barring anyone from directing surface water, sump-pump discharge, or septic overflow onto the sidewalk, gutter or street in a way that creates an icing hazard, closing off a workaround where a property owner might otherwise flood a public walk with runoff instead of shoveling it.
The duty runs to whoever has "charge or control" of the abutting building or land, so a tenant or property manager can carry the obligation just as much as the titled owner. Enforcement of the article is vested in the Superintendent of Highways, designees, and Town code enforcement officials under § 250-45.
Violations & Fines
Missing the 36-hour window is a violation of Article III punishable under § 250-44 by a fine up to $2,500 for a first offense, $2,500 to $5,000 for a second offense within 18 months, $7,500 to $10,000 for a third, and $10,000 to $15,000 for a fourth or later offense, with each day the snow or ice remains treated as a separate, continuing offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Clarkstown residents have to shovel their sidewalk?
What is the fine for not clearing snow from a Clarkstown sidewalk in time?
Who clears snow from school sidewalks in Clarkstown?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clarkstown
New York rules heatmap·Compare Clarkstown to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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