Westminster, CO Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

makes it unlawful for any person to allow snow or ice to remain on a public sidewalk abutting or adjoining property they control, own, or occupy for more than 24 hours after the last measurable snowfall or snow drift. Subsection (B) separately bans obstructions on the sidewalk, curb, or gutter, including piles of materials, vegetation, portable basketball hoops, or anything within the sidewalk's width or less than seven feet above it; lawfully parked vehicles are exempted. Subsection (C) goes further than a typical maintenance rule by imposing civil liability: it states that any person who controls, owns, or occupies abutting property owes a duty to sidewalk users, and any person injured by a breach of that duty has a cause of action for damages against the property owner.

The code expressly states this is intended to place civil liability on private property owners for injuries from failing to clear the walk. On enforcement, snow-removal failures sit on the short list of offenses eligible for summary abatement without prior notice under Section 8-1-16(C)(1)(b); the City Manager can order the work done and bill the responsible party, with the cost becoming a first and prior lien on the property under Section 8-1-16(C)(2). can also apply, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation.