Manchester, CT Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Section 279-19 of the Manchester Code, "Duty of abutters to abate snow and ice hazards," requires the owner, agent or occupant of any building or land bordering a street, square or public place with a concrete or paved sidewalk, or a fire hydrant, to remove all snow, sleet and ice within 24 hours after it falls; if the sidewalk becomes icy, the owner or occupant has 12 hours to make it safe by removing the ice or covering it with sand or another suitable substance.

Subsection B requires sidewalks to be cleared and sanded through snow windrows at intersections, crosswalks, sidewalk ramps, bus stops and pedestrian push-button signals so pedestrians keep unimpeded access. Subsection C requires a four-foot clearance around every fire hydrant in all directions and a three-foot path from the hydrant to the street so Fire Department personnel have unimpeded access, and Subsection D bars anyone from plowing or throwing snow or ice from private property onto a public sidewalk, street or right-of-way in a way that jeopardizes safety or impedes traffic.

Section 279-20 lets an owner shift liability to an occupant who has agreed in writing to handle removal, and Section 279-21 authorizes the Town to remove snow and ice itself, at the owner's expense secured by a lien on the property, when a building is vacant and removal is urgently needed for public safety, or after two or more citations have already issued under Section 279-19. Section 279-22 makes a violating corporation's officers and directors personally liable for the fine.