Dayton, OH Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty holder
- Owner or occupant of abutting parcel
- Deadline
- Reasonable time, ordinarily ≤12 hours
- City cleanup penalty
- 5% plus interest
- Criminal penalty
- Minor misdemeanor, § 95.999
- Authority
- Dayton R.C.G.O. §§ 95.17–95.18
Summary
Dayton property owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk abutting their parcel within a reasonable time after a storm ends, ordinarily no more than 12 hours; the city can remove it and bill the owner if they don't.
It shall be the duty of the owner or of the occupant of each and every parcel of real estate in the city abutting upon any sidewalk, to keep the sidewalk abutting his premises free and clear of snow and ice, and to remove therefrom all snow and ice accumulated thereon within a reasonable time, which will ordinarily not exceed 12 hours after the abatement of any storm during which the snow and ice may have accumulated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
Under R.C.G.O. Section 95.17, the owner or occupant of any parcel abutting a sidewalk must keep it clear of snow and ice, removing accumulations within a reasonable time that ordinarily should not exceed 12 hours after a storm ends. Section 95.18 lets the city remove uncleared snow and ice itself and assess the cost against the abutting lot, with a five percent penalty added if the owner does not pay within ten days of notice; violating the chapter is a minor misdemeanor under Section 95.999.
Violations & Fines
Unremoved snow gets cleared by the city and billed to the owner with a five percent penalty and interest; the underlying failure to clear is also a minor misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to clear snow off my sidewalk in Dayton?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dayton
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