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Denver, CO Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Removal deadline
Immediately after every snowfall
Responsible party
Owner, occupant, or agent
Area covered
Sidewalk, parking strip, curb
Max fine
$999 per offense
Enforcing agency
Dept. of Transportation & Infrastructure

Summary

Denver property owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from adjoining sidewalks immediately after every snowfall, not on a multi-day grace period.

The owner, occupant or agent of the owner of any building, property, or vacant lot in the city is required to maintain the sidewalks, the parking and the curbs, i.e., the area from the property line to the gutter, adjoining the building, property or vacant lot in a clean condition and to remove snow and ice from adjoining sidewalks immediately after every snowfall. ... It shall be unlawful to violate the provisions of this section or any rules and regulations promulgated hereunder.

Source: Denver Revised Municipal Code 49-551View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).

Full Breakdown

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 49-551 puts the duty on the owner, occupant, or agent of any building, property, or vacant lot to keep the abutting sidewalk, parking strip, and curb area clean and to remove snow and ice "immediately after every snowfall." The manager of transportation and infrastructure can adopt enforcement rules, and violating the section or those rules is itself unlawful. Because no separate fine is set in Chapter 49, the citywide general penalty in § 1-13 applies, and each day the sidewalk stays uncleared can count as its own offense.

Violations & Fines

Up to a $999 fine, up to 300 days in jail, or both under the § 1-13 general penalty; each day of noncompliance can count as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon must I clear snow from my Denver sidewalk?
Immediately after every snowfall, per DRMC § 49-551: there's no multi-hour or next-day grace window in the code.
What happens if I don't clear it?
The city's general penalty (§ 1-13) can apply: up to a $999 fine or up to 300 days in jail, and each uncleared day can be a separate violation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Denver

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All Denver rules

Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado property maintenance overview

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