Edmonds, WA Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- ECC 9.20, Sidewalk Construction and Maintenance
- Who must clear it
- Abutting property owner
- Fixed deadline
- None set; duty is continuous
- Hazard listed
- Ice/snow accumulation, ECC 9.20.100(F)
- Consequence
- Owner liable for injury, damages, costs, fees
- Enforcer
- City public works director
Summary
Edmonds makes ice and snow removal part of an abutting property owner's sidewalk maintenance duty under ECC 9.20.010(B), and treats an ice or snow accumulation left on a sidewalk as an unlawful hazardous condition under ECC 9.20.100(F). There is no fixed clearing deadline in the code; instead, the owner becomes liable for any resulting injury or damage under ECC 9.20.100(I).
“Maintenance” means the removal and disposal of debris, litter and vegetation which tends to impair the utilization of the right-of-way for public purposes and the removal of ice and snow from sidewalks. ... ... I. Property Owner Liable. In the event of any injury or damage to any persons and/or property proximately caused by the defective, dangerous or hazardous condition of any sidewalk as hereinbefore specified, or by the presence of accumulation of ice or snow thereon, or by lack of proper guards or railings on or along the property abutting on any public way, then the abutting property owner where such injury or damage occurs shall be liable therefor including liability to the city for all damage, injury, costs, and disbursements including court costs and attorney’s fees, which the city may be required to pay or incur to any person injured or property damaged as aforesaid.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4444, passed August 3, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010(B)). 040(B)). 20 sets no numeric grace period, such as 24 or 48 hours after a snowfall, for clearing a sidewalk. 100 lists accumulation of ice and snow on a sidewalk or the adjoining right-of-way among the hazardous conditions an abutting owner may not allow to exist there. 100(I) makes the abutting owner liable for the loss caused "by the presence of accumulation of ice or snow thereon," including any damages, costs and attorney's fees the city itself has to pay out, unless the parties agree otherwise or a court enters judgment.
The section carves out one exception: an owner is not required to indemnify the city for injury or damage that results from the city's own sole negligence or fault. 090. Because the duty is framed as an ongoing hazard-prevention and liability standard rather than a scheduled deadline, an owner remains exposed to a claim for as long as ice or snow is left to accumulate on the sidewalk or right-of-way fronting the property.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 9.20 carries no separate dollar fine for uncleared ice or snow; it works through civil liability instead. Under ECC 9.20.100(I), the abutting owner is liable for any injury or property damage the hazard causes, plus the city's own damages, court costs and attorney's fees if the city is sued and has to pay them out. The public works director, who enforces the chapter under ECC 9.20.090, can pursue the hazard as a code violation under the city's general enforcement authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Edmonds require sidewalks to be cleared within a set number of hours after snowfall?
Who is responsible for clearing ice and snow from a sidewalk in Edmonds?
What is the penalty for not clearing snow or ice from my Edmonds sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edmonds
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