Yakima, WA Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

YMC Chapter 8.88 has been amended several times (most recently Ord. 2014-012) and contains seven sections. (1) YMC 8.88.010 (Legislative Policy) explains that 'Accumulations of snow and ice on public sidewalks within the city are detrimental to the public health, convenience, safety and welfare' and that persons owning/occupying adjacent premises 'make all reasonable efforts to clear the sidewalks which they control of snow and ice in a prudent fashion'; the chapter is 'for the benefit of the general public and no specific duty to particular persons is created hereby.' (2) YMC 8.88.020 (Requirements) — 'Every owner or occupant of any property located within the city which is adjacent to a public sidewalk shall be responsible for the removal of snow and ice which may fall or accumulate on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the primary entrance of said property. Said owner or occupant shall make a reasonable effort to have the sidewalks immediately adjacent to the primary entrance of said property cleared of snow and ice by nine a.m. of every day after snowfall.' When accumulation is impractical to remove, the owner must spread sand or other suitable material. Dumping shoveled snow/ice into the ROW, alleys, streets, pathways or thoroughfares is a civil infraction. An owner is not in violation if they have a written agreement with a third party who is contractually obligated to perform the duties of the section. (3) YMC 8.88.030 (Penalty) — civil infraction with a monetary penalty 'not to exceed fifty dollars'; each day of continued violation is a separate offense. (4) YMC 8.88.040 (Snow Alert) — when snow accumulates to 3 or more inches the city manager (or designee) may declare a snow alert; during the alert it is a civil infraction (subject to the §8.88.030 penalty) for the owner or operator of any motor vehicle to park on any street designated and posted as a snow route. (5) YMC 8.88.050 (Snow Routes) — the city posts and may revise snow routes for unhindered snow-removal operations. (6) YMC 8.88.060 (Prohibited Parking After Snowfall) — parking is prohibited on snow routes from the time the alert goes into effect until snow has ceased and removal is complete for the full route width. (7) YMC 8.88.070 (Ticketing and Towing) — law-enforcement, parking-enforcement and code officers may cite and tow vehicles parked on a snow route during an alert; tow and relocation fees are paid by the operator/owner. The base authority for city snow operations rests in RCW 35A.11.020 (code city general powers) and RCW Chapter 35.92 (municipal utilities). City contact: Yakima Streets & Traffic Operations (509-575-6005); snow-route map and tips at yakimawa.gov/services/streets/snow-removal-policies-tips.