Lawrence, KS Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline to clear
- 48 hours after accumulation stops
- Fine
- $20.00 per day, per violation
- Acceptable substitute
- sanding, if ice can't be removed
- Enforced by
- Planning and Development Services
- City-maintained exception
- west side of Kasold Dr. (§16-114)
Summary
In the City of Lawrence, the property owner of record next to a public sidewalk must clear snow or ice within 48 hours after it stops accumulating, under City Code § 16-113. Sanding is an acceptable substitute when ice can't be removed, and violators face a $20.00 fine per day the hazard continues.
(a)It shall be unlawful for the property owner of record of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk on public rights-of-way to fail to remove from the sidewalk, within 48 hours of the cessation of accumulation of snow or ice on the sidewalk, any snow or ice accumulated on such sidewalk or obstructing such sidewalk. If ice has accumulated of such character as to make removal thereof impossible, the sprinkling or placement of sand thereon within the time specified for removal in such a manner as to make such sidewalk safe for travel of pedestrians shall be deemed in compliance with the provisions of this section. ... (c)Violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be considered a municipal offense and, upon an adjudication of guilty, the violator shall be fined $20.00. Each day of a continuing violation shall be deemed a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Section 16-113(a) puts the duty on the property owner of record of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk on public rights-of-way to remove snow or ice within 48 hours of the accumulation ending. Where the ice has hardened enough that removal is genuinely impossible, spreading sand across it within that same 48-hour window, so pedestrians can walk safely, satisfies the rule instead of physical removal. Enforcement runs through Planning and Development Services: subsection (b) gives that department's employees authority, under Charter Ordinance No. 31, to issue notices to appear for violations of this chapter.
00 charge daily rather than a single flat fee. The rule has one carved-out exception elsewhere in the same article: § 16-114 makes the city itself responsible for snow and ice removal, along with broader maintenance, on the eight-foot sidewalk and ten-foot recreation path built along the west side of Kasold Drive between Bob Billings Parkway and 31st Street, a special arrangement adopted by Ordinance No. 7978.
Violations & Fines
Failing to clear snow or ice within 48 hours of accumulation, or failing to sand an ice patch that truly can't be removed, is a municipal offense carrying a $20.00 fine under § 16-113(c). Because the section treats each day of a continuing violation as its own separate offense, an uncleared sidewalk can rack up repeated $20.00 fines rather than a single charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to clear snow off my Lawrence sidewalk?
What's the fine for not shoveling my sidewalk in Lawrence?
Who enforces the snow removal rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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