City of Albany Code Ch. 323 requires property owners to clear sidewalk snow/ice within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Town of Colonie Β§131-6 requires 24 hours; Bethlehem Β§85-18 requires reasonable time. Capital Region nor'easters make this critical. NY GOL Β§9-103 addresses liability.
Snow removal is a serious obligation in Albany County given lake-effect snow, nor'easter events, and average annual snowfall of 60 to 70 inches. City of Albany Code Chapter 323 (Streets and Sidewalks) Β§323-65 requires owners and occupants to remove snow and ice from abutting sidewalks within 24 hours after precipitation ends. A passable path of minimum 36 inches is required. Where ice cannot be removed, sand, salt, or non-chloride de-icer must be applied. Corner property owners must clear ADA curb ramps. Town of Colonie Code Β§131-6 (Snow and Ice) imposes 24-hour compliance. Town of Bethlehem Code Β§85-18 requires removal within reasonable time after storm. Village of Menands, Green Island, and Cohoes have similar rules. The City of Albany may clear and bill at approximately $75 to $200 per lineal-foot-hour with an administrative surcharge. Failure creates civil liability under NY General Obligations Law Β§9-103 and common-law premises-liability doctrine; City of Albany shifts liability to abutting owner under Albany City Code Β§323-69 (Hausler rule). Elderly/disabled residents may apply for the Albany Snow Angels volunteer program.
Failure to clear: Albany City Code Β§323-65 fines $50 to $250 per violation (escalating). City clears and bills at actual cost plus 25% surcharge. Slip-and-fall injury: civil liability shifted under Ch. 323-69. Repeat violations: up to $1,000.
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See how Albany County's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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