Huntington, NY Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential deadline
- 24 hours after snow stops falling
- Commercial deadline
- 12 hours after snow stops falling
- Excluded hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. don't count
- First-offense fine
- $100-$250 (≤100 ft) or $250-$1,000 (>100 ft)
- Repeat-offense fine
- $250-$500 or $500-$1,500 within five years
- Governing section
- Town Code § 173-16
Summary
Huntington property owners must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk fronting their land within 24 hours for residential properties and 12 hours for commercial properties after snowfall stops, under Town Code § 173-16. The overnight window from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. doesn't count toward the clock. Fines start at $100 and climb with sidewalk frontage and repeat violations.
The owner, lessee, tenant and occupant of lands fronting or abutting on any streets, highway, roadway, public lane, alley or square in any zoning district, shall maintain and repair the sidewalk adjoining his lands and shall keep such sidewalk free and clear of snow, ice, filth, dirt, weeds and all other obstructions. Such owner, lessee, tenant and occupant of residential properties shall remove snow and ice within twenty-four (24) hours and within twelve (12) hours for commercial properties after snow has ceased to fall or after the deposit of any dirt, object or other material upon such sidewalks. The period between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall not be included in computing such requirements.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940543; v75 updated 2026-06-09; through 06-09-2026).
Full Breakdown
Town Code § 173-16 places the duty to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice on whoever fronts or abuts the walk: owner, lessee, tenant or occupant alike, in any zoning district. Residential frontages get 24 hours from when snow "has ceased to fall" to clear the walk; commercial frontages get half that, 12 hours. m. The same section makes the abutting owner or occupant liable for any injury caused by failing to clear ice, snow or other obstructions in time, shifting liability that would otherwise fall on the Town under § 130(4) of the Town Law.
If the owner never clears the walk, § 173-18 lets the Town Board order the work done itself and bill the owner: unpaid costs become a lien collected the same way as real property taxes, with ten days to pay after written notice before the lien attaches. Fines for a § 173-16 violation run on a two-axis scale set by § 173-19(A): frontage length and repeat-offense history. A first offense on up to 100 linear feet of sidewalk frontage runs $100 to $250; a first offense above 100 feet runs $250 to $1,000.
A second or later offense within five years jumps to $250-$500 (under 100 feet) or $500-$1,500 (over 100 feet). Each day the violation continues after notice or a summons counts as a separate offense, and the Town's Bureau of Administrative Adjudication can impose the same fine range administratively.
Violations & Fines
A first § 173-16 offense costs $100 to $250 for properties with 100 feet of sidewalk frontage or less, and $250 to $1,000 above that. Repeat offenses within five years rise to $250-$500 or $500-$1,500 depending on frontage. Each additional day of an uncleared walk after notice is a separate offense, and the Town Attorney may also sue to force compliance and recover cleanup costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to shovel snow off my Huntington sidewalk?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk in time?
Am I liable if someone slips on my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington
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