Providence County municipalities require property owners to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks, typically within a few hours of daylight following snowfall. Providence Code §23-65 mandates removal, with fines starting around $50 per occurrence.
Under Providence Code of Ordinances §23-65, owners or occupants of property abutting a public sidewalk must clear snow within the first four hours of daylight after snow stops falling, or within four hours of the end of snowfall if it ends during daylight. Ice that cannot be removed must be treated with sand, ash, or ice-melt. Cranston Code §11.60 and Pawtucket Code §214-18 impose similar 8-12 hour deadlines. Woonsocket requires clearance by 10 AM the day after a storm. A minimum path of 36 inches is standard, and ADA curb ramps at corner lots must also be cleared. The city performs street plowing but sidewalk clearance is owner responsibility regardless of whether the owner occupies the property. RI has no statewide natural-accumulation defense in Berardis v. Louangxay and subsequent cases, meaning landowners face slip-and-fall liability. Elderly and disabled residents can apply to programs like Providence's Elderly Snow Shoveling Program administered by the Department of Public Works.
Providence §23-65 violation: $50 first offense, escalating to $100+ for repeat violations. City may hire a contractor to clear and bill the property owner plus administrative fee. Slip-and-fall injuries: personal liability with no statutory immunity in RI.
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See how Cranston's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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