Saint Paul, MN Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- 24 hours after snow/ice stops accumulating
- Governing sections
- Legislative Code §§ 113.02, 113.03, 113.08
- Max fine
- $100 petty misdemeanor for ignoring removal order
- City abatement
- Cost assessed as a lien on the property
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Works
- Business risk
- License/permit revocation for unremoved sidewalk snow
Summary
Saint Paul property owners and occupants have 24 hours after snow or ice stops falling to clear it from the public sidewalk abutting their building or lot under Legislative Code § 113.02. Uncleared snow past that window is a declared nuisance under § 113.03, and after notice and a missed deadline, § 113.08 makes noncompliance a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to a $100 fine.
Sec. 113.02. Snow and ice removal from sidewalks. The owner or occupant of any building or lot abutting a public sidewalk is responsible for and shall remove any accumulation of snow and/or ice from said public sidewalk within twenty-four (24) hours after the snow and/or ice has ceased to fall, gather or accumulate. Sec. 113.03. Nuisance. Snow and/or ice which is allowed to remain upon any public sidewalk in the City of Saint Paul for a period of longer than twenty-four (24) hours after the snow and/or ice has ceased to fall, gather or accumulate thereon is hereby declared to be a nuisance. The department is authorized to remove the snow and/or ice or arrange for the removal of same and charge the costs incurred against the abutting property. Sec. 113.08. Penalty. ...any owner or occupant who has been served an order to remove a nuisance pursuant to section 113.04 and has failed to abate the nuisance within the time specified in said order shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and may be fined up to a maximum of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 133 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
02's flat, no-exceptions deadline. 03, and the Department of Public Works is authorized to remove it itself or arrange removal, charging the cost back to the abutting property. 04 requires notice: if the address has no 'verified abatement' (a prior violation) in the preceding 365 days, the city serves written notice describing the location and inspects no earlier than 48 hours later; if the address already has a verified abatement within that year, the city inspects first, then serves notice giving 24 hours to clear it before a work order issues.
06, and if the nuisance still isn't abated 48 hours after notice, the city or a private contractor removes it and assesses the full cost, including administrative costs, as a special assessment lien on the property under Charter Chapter 14. 04 removal order a petty misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $100. Commercial and business licensees face an added consequence under Chapter 114: unremoved snow or ice on the sidewalk adjacent to their premises is grounds for denial or revocation of any city license or building permit they hold.
Violations & Fines
Miss the 24-hour deadline and the city can serve notice, inspect, and, if still unabated 48 hours later, remove the snow or ice itself and assess the full cost, plus administrative charges, as a lien against the property. Ignoring a formal § 113.04 removal order is a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to a $100 fine under § 113.08, and licensed businesses risk license or permit revocation under Chapter 114.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Saint Paul?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk in time?
Can I be fined for not shoveling snow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saint Paul
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