Wichita requires property owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property within 48 hours after snowfall ends. This applies to both residential and commercial properties under the city's nuisance ordinance.
After a snowfall event, property owners must remove snow and ice from the full width of the public sidewalk abutting their property within 48 hours after the snow stops falling. If ice cannot be fully removed, sand or salt must be applied to provide safe footing. The city clears snow from arterial streets first, followed by residential streets. Property owners are responsible only for sidewalks, not streets. Corner properties must clear sidewalks on all street frontages. Commercial properties in the downtown area may have shorter clearance deadlines.
Failure to clear sidewalks within 48 hours can result in a nuisance violation and municipal fine. The city may clear the sidewalk and assess costs to the property owner. Repeat offenders face escalating fines. Property owners may also face civil liability for injuries caused by uncleared sidewalks.
Wichita, KS
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See how Wichita's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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