Nashua, NH Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Nashua's sidewalk snow and ice rules combine two ordinances: Chapter 182 (Housing Standards) Article V and Chapter 285 (Streets and Sidewalks) § 285-28. Under Chapter 182 Article V, 'all sidewalks, walkways, steps, and driveways shall be kept free of snow, ice, and other debris hazardous to the public.' City policy implements this with a 24-hour deadline: snow and ice should be cleared from the sidewalk within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Property owners are responsible for clearing the full sidewalk width and for clearing curb ramps on corner lots and other curb cutouts, since the property owner must provide access from the street onto the sidewalk. Chapter 285 § 285-28 separately prohibits the act of pushing snow back into the street: 'No person shall by himself or by his agent or agents throw, push, blow, or put any snow, ice, or yard debris into the right-of-way of any way, street, lane, alley, or sidewalk.' Violations of § 285-28 are subject to NRO § 1-12 general penalties of up to $1,000 per offense. The City's Street Department operates the snow-and-ice control program on streets — over 50 miles of primary sidewalks (those on main roads and designated safe student routes to schools) are plowed by City crews with a goal of clearing them within 72 hours of the end of the storm, but the abutting property owner is still responsible for the 24-hour residential sidewalk obligation. Practical guidance: shovel onto your own property (not the street), clear curb cuts at corners, and clear access to fire hydrants and mailboxes. Report unshoveled sidewalks to Code Enforcement (603-589-3100) or DPWrequest@nashuanh.gov.