Lincoln, NE Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- 9:00 a.m. next morning after snow
- Who
- Owner/occupant of abutting property
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor
- City remedy
- City clears walk, assesses cost as lien
- Notice before city acts
- At least 12 hours
Summary
Lincoln requires property owners to clear sidewalk snow and ice by 9:00 a.m. the morning after a snowstorm; failure is a misdemeanor and the City may clear it and bill the owner.
Every owner or occupant of any house or other building...shall, during the winter season..., before 9:00 a.m. the morning subsequent to the cessation of any snow storm, clear the sidewalks in front of such lots from snow and ice and keep such sidewalks free from snow and ice during the day...Failure...shall be deemed a misdemeanor and punishable as in this code provided.
Full Breakdown
Lincoln Municipal Code § 14.80.110 requires owners or occupants of any house, building, or vacant lot to clear sidewalk snow and ice before 9:00 a.m. the morning after a snowstorm and keep the walk clear through the day, or apply sand or a de-icing agent if ice can't be removed without damaging the walk. If an owner fails to comply, the Director of Transportation and Utilities posts written notice giving at least twelve hours to clear the walk; if it's still undone the City has it cleared and assesses the cost against the property as a lien collected with real estate taxes. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Failure to clear the sidewalk by the 9:00 a.m. deadline is a misdemeanor; the City may also clear it and assess the cost against the property as a tax lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to clear snow from my Lincoln sidewalk?
What happens if I don't clear my walk in time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
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