Ontario does not receive snow, but property owners must maintain sidewalks free of debris, obstructions, and trip hazards under California Streets and Highways Code 5610 and OMC Chapter 7.
Because Ontario sits in the Inland Empire at approximately 950 feet elevation, snow accumulation is essentially nonexistent and there is no municipal snow shoveling ordinance. However, California Streets and Highways Code 5610 makes abutting property owners responsible for keeping adjacent sidewalks in safe condition free from trip hazards, dirt, mud, debris, and oil or grease. Ontario Municipal Code Title 7 (Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Works) authorizes the Public Works Agency to issue a notice to repair when a sidewalk heaves, cracks, or becomes unsafe. Owners typically have 30 days to fix the hazard or the City may perform the repair and lien the property. Overhanging tree branches must be trimmed to a minimum clearance of 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets under OMC Chapter 7. Leaves, grass clippings, and irrigation runoff draining into the gutter also violate the City's stormwater MS4 permit and can trigger code enforcement. Temporary obstructions such as pods or dumpsters require an encroachment permit from Public Works.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except d...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle snow & sidewalk clearing.
See how Ontario's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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