Fort Wayne, IN Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearing deadline
- 9:00 a.m. every day, winter
- Who must comply
- Owner, occupant, or lessee of property
- Also covers
- Dirt, filth, and other obstructions
- Maximum fine
- Up to $2,500 per violation
- Governing section
- § 99.047, Fort Wayne Code
Summary
Fort Wayne requires owners and occupants to clear sidewalk snow and ice by 9:00 a.m. each day during winter and keep it free through the day, or face fines up to $2,500.
Every owner or occupant of any house or other building, and the owner or proprietor, lessee or persons entitled to possession of any vacant lot, and every person having charge of any church, jail, public hall or other public building in the city, shall, during the winter season and during the time snow shall continue on the ground, by 9:00 a.m. every day clean the sidewalk in front of such house or building, and in front of which lot, from snow or ice, and keep it conveniently free thereof during the day. He shall also, at all times, keep such sidewalk clear from all dirt or filth, or other obstruction or encumbrance, so as to allow citizens to use the sidewalk in an easy and commodious manner. ('74 Code, § 25-22) Penalty, see § 99.999
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Fort Wayne's Code of Ordinances makes every owner or occupant of a house or building, and every owner, lessee, or possessor of a vacant lot, responsible for the sidewalk abutting their property. During the winter season, while snow is on the ground, that sidewalk must be cleared of snow and ice by 9:00 a.m. every day and kept reasonably free the rest of the day. The same duty extends to dirt, filth, and other obstructions at all times. There's no separate penalty listed for this section, so violations fall under the code's general penalty: up to $2,500, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Failure to clear sidewalk snow and ice by the 9:00 a.m. deadline is a code violation punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, with each day treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to have snow cleared by in Fort Wayne?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk?
Does this apply to vacant lots too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
Compare Fort Wayne to another location·View the Indiana property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.