Salt Lake City, UT Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- 24 hours after snow stops
- Clear path width
- 42 inches minimum
- Fine (small lot, day 1)
- $50 per day
- Fine (large lot, day 1)
- $100 per day
- Large lot threshold
- Over 200 ft street frontage
Summary
Salt Lake City property owners must clear a 42-inch path of snow, ice, and sleet from abutting sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall ends, or face escalating daily civil fines.
It is unlawful for the owner, occupant, lessor, or agent of property abutting a paved city sidewalk to fail to remove or cause to be removed from the entire length of sidewalk abutting such property, including corners and curb ramps, all hail, snow, or sleet falling thereon, or ice resulting from such, so as to make a path forty two inches (42") wide (or the entire width of the sidewalk if the width is less than 42 inches) within twenty four (24) hours after such hail, snow, or sleet has ceased falling at the Salt Lake City Airport as reported by the national weather service. Ice shall be removed to bare pavement or made as level as possible and treated with ice melt, sand, or similar material. Each day such sidewalk is not so cleared shall constitute a new violation. The city administration may adopt policies and procedures to allow accommodations and exceptions to this section for unusually challenging locations in the city. (Ord. 59-14, 2014)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 14.20.070 requires owners, occupants, lessors, or agents of property next to a paved city sidewalk to clear the full length of the sidewalk, including corners and curb ramps, of hail, snow, sleet, or resulting ice within 24 hours after precipitation stops (per National Weather Service reports at Salt Lake City Airport). The cleared path must be at least 42 inches wide, and ice must be removed to bare pavement or treated with ice melt or sand. Each uncleared day is a separate violation under § 14.20.110, with fines rising the longer removal is delayed, and higher penalty tiers for properties with more than 200 feet of street frontage.
Violations & Fines
$50-$200 per day depending on delay (24/48/72-hour tiers) and property street frontage; enforced as a civil violation under Chapter 2.75.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the 24-hour clock measured?
Can I pile shoveled snow in the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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Snow & Sidewalk Clearing in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle snow & sidewalk clearing.