Washington, DC Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Section 9-601(a) requires the owner of any residential or commercial property fronting or abutting a paved sidewalk to remove snow or sleet within the first 8 hours of daylight after it stops falling, clearing the entire width of the walk up to 36 inches. An owner may delegate the job to a tenant, occupant, lessee, or other individual, but only by written agreement, and under § 9-606(b) the owner still remains liable for any fine even after delegating, though the owner may then seek reimbursement from that tenant.

If ice has hardened so removal would damage the sidewalk, § 9-601(b) requires covering it with sand, sawdust, or a similar substance within the same 8-hour window instead. Enforcement runs through § 9-606: a notice of infraction cannot issue to a residential owner unless the violation still exists 24 hours after the snow stopped falling, giving homes a longer grace window than businesses. No property can be fined more than once per day regardless of how long the violation continues. Owners age 65 or older, or with a documented disability confirmed by a government assistance program or a medical doctor, are exempt from violation entirely under § 9-606(d).

The Mayor must publicize the shoveling duty and its penalties through public media every year on or before December 1, and infractions are adjudicated through the Office of Administrative Hearings process under Chapter 8 of Title 8.