Snow sidewalk clearing is not a regular concern in unincorporated San Mateo County's Mediterranean coastal climate, and the County has no dedicated snow-clearance ordinance. On the rare occasions of snow at Skyline Ridge or upper La Honda/Kings Mountain elevations, Caltrans clears State Routes 35, 84, and 92, while property owners are generally responsible for keeping their own driveways and sidewalks (where they exist) passable. Streets & Highways Code §§5610-5618 gives local agencies general authority over abutting-property sidewalk maintenance.
San Mateo County sits in USDA zones 9b-10a with average low temperatures well above freezing; snow occurs only sporadically at elevations above 2,000 feet (Skyline Ridge, Kings Mountain, upper La Honda). The County does not have a snow-removal ordinance because the hazard is rare. General sidewalk maintenance by abutting property owners is governed by California Streets & Highways Code §§5610-5618, which places responsibility on the adjacent property owner for keeping sidewalks in safe condition — including removing accumulated debris, vegetation, and rarely, snow/ice. When winter storms deliver snow at ridge elevations, Caltrans handles State Routes 35 (Skyline), 84 (La Honda Road), and 92 (Half Moon Bay Road), and the County Public Works crews clear major County roads. Property owners remain responsible for their driveways and the immediately adjacent sidewalk/shoulder. Ice on sidewalks from freezing fog or pipe leaks is more common than snow and creates slip-and-fall liability under general premises-liability law. No minimum clearance width or time deadline is specified.
Slip-and-fall on unmaintained sidewalk: civil liability for negligence. Failure to clear after County notice under §5610: County may abate and bill owner. Chronic unmaintained sidewalk: nuisance citation $50-$250 under County Code.
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