Clay, NY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- March 17, 2003, L.L. No. 4-2003 (§ 197-3)
- Banned conduct
- Piling/plowing snow into right-of-way, obstructing sidewalks
- Driveway snow
- Cannot be pushed onto sidewalk, road or neighbor's land
- Penalty reference
- General penalty, Ch. 1, Art. II, § 1-18 (§ 197-4)
Summary
The Town of Clay Code bars anyone from plowing, shoveling, sweeping or piling snow or ice into or beyond a street right-of-way so it obstructs sidewalks, streets or the sight lines of people traveling on foot or by vehicle. Section 197-3 also bars pushing driveway snow onto a sidewalk, roadway or a neighbor's land.
§ 197-3. Regulations. A. No person shall plow, shovel, sweep or pile snow, ice or other such materials in or beyond the right-of-way of any street or public highway or cause such to be done so as to interfere with the safety and convenience or public travel or such as to constitute an obstruction of the sight of persons traveling by vehicle or by foot on public streets or sidewalks or on private driveways. B. No person shall plow, shovel or pile snow from a private or public driveway in such a manner as to deposit the same in the public roadway or on a public right-of-way or sidewalk or across the street from said driveway or onto the property of another without that person's consent.
Full Breakdown
Section 197-3 of the Town of Clay Code, adopted March 17, 2003 by Local Law No. 4-2003 as Article I of Chapter 197, Streets and Sidewalks, has two operative parts. Subsection A bars any person from plowing, shoveling, sweeping or piling snow, ice or similar material in or beyond the right-of-way of a street or public highway, or causing that to be done, in a way that interferes with the safety and convenience of public travel or obstructs the sight of people traveling by vehicle or on foot on public streets or sidewalks or on private driveways.
Subsection B separately bars plowing, shoveling or piling snow from a private or public driveway so that it lands in the public roadway, on a public right-of-way or sidewalk, across the street from the driveway, or onto a neighbor's property without that neighbor's consent. The chapter states its purpose in § 197-2 as setting snowplowing regulations, sidewalk liability and penalties together. Violations of Article I are punished under § 197-4 by reference to the town's general penalty provision at Chapter 1, Article II, § 1-18, and each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense.
The rule sits alongside § 197-5, which separately makes the abutting owner or occupant responsible for keeping the sidewalk itself clear of snow and ice.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who plows, shovels or piles snow into a street right-of-way, or pushes driveway snow onto a sidewalk, roadway or a neighbor's land, violates § 197-3 and is punished under § 197-4 by the general penalty set at Chapter 1, Article II, § 1-18, with each day of continued obstruction counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pile snow from my driveway onto the sidewalk in Clay?
Is it illegal to block a sidewalk with plowed snow in the Town of Clay?
Who enforces Clay's snow obstruction rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clay
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Obstruction Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle obstruction rules.