Peoria, IL Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Sec. 26-251 sits in Chapter 26 (Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places). The 24-hour / 36-hour threshold uses end of snowfall as the start of the clock; if a follow-on snow event begins before the clock expires, it resets to the end of the most recent snowfall. The 4-foot minimum clear-path width was added to align with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. Enforcement is by Peoria Public Works (309-494-8800) which routinely inspects commercial corridors (Main Street, Knoxville Avenue, Glen Avenue, Sterling Avenue, Adams Street, Jefferson Avenue) and the central business district after each snow event. Residential property is exempt by ordinance — Peoria has not enacted a residential shoveling mandate, in contrast to Chicago (Municipal Code §10-8-180) and several northern-Illinois suburbs. However, residents are urged to shovel for neighborhood safety, and Illinois HB 4807 (2022, codifying 745 ILCS 75) provides that any person who removes or attempts to remove snow or ice from sidewalks abutting their property is not liable for personal injury caused by their acts unless misconduct was willful or wanton — eliminating the older 'good Samaritan paradox' that previously discouraged shoveling. Snow may not be pushed into the street: Sec. 26-262 (or analogous) prohibits depositing snow on public streets because it creates ice ridges and pedestrian hazards. Property owners should pile snow on their own yard. Sidewalk-construction standards updated in February 2022 require a 2-foot buffer between curb and sidewalk (or a 6-foot minimum sidewalk width) on new installations to provide snow-storage room.