Asheville, NC Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 16-3
- Grass strip mow height
- 18 inches maximum
- Ice clearance deadline
- 10:00 a.m. daily, above 40°F
- Snow clearance window
- Within 48 hours of snowfall ending
- Civil penalty
- $100/day, capped at $5,000
- Cure notice period
- Up to 10 days before penalty
Summary
Property owners in Asheville must keep the public sidewalk, curb and grass strip abutting their land clear of debris, mow the strip to 18 inches or less, and clear ice by 10 a.m. and snow within 48 hours. Noncompliance draws a $100-per-day civil penalty up to $5,000.
It shall be the responsibility of the responsible party to ensure that the public sidewalk and curb abutting a property owner's property are kept clear of dirt, grass, weeds, mud, trash, debris and vegetation of any kind to prevent a hazard to the public... The grass strip between the sidewalk and curb is to be kept mowed to a height not to exceed 18 inches... Ice: The responsible party whose property abuts a paved sidewalk upon which ice may in any manner accumulate from any source other than from a weather event, shall remove such ice from the sidewalk on or before 10:00 a.m. each day in which the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Fahrenheit... Any person, who fails to comply with a notice of violation issued under this section within the time period set forth in the notice of violation, shall be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $100.00 per day the violation continues... In no event, shall the amount of the civil penalty arising out of the original notice of violation exceed $5,000.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-5: Contains Supplement, current through Ordinance 5245, passed 7-28-2026 | State legislation current through 2025 A.L.S. #3).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. §§ 160A-174 and 160A-296, makes the 'responsible party' (owner, occupant, lessee or tenant) keep the abutting public sidewalk, curb and grass strip clear of dirt, grass, weeds, mud, trash, debris and vegetation so pedestrians never need to take evasive action; the grass strip between sidewalk and curb must be mowed to no more than 18 inches. Owners with an abutting drainage swale must mow and maintain it so it keeps functioning. each day the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Fahrenheit; snow, hail or sleet from an actual weather event must be cleared within 48 hours after it stops falling.
It is separately unlawful to push or shovel ice or snow from private property into the traveled portion of the street. 00. 00 per notice; unpaid penalties go to the city's debt set-off collection office. The city may also abate the violation itself and bill the property owner, or the city attorney may seek injunctive relief. Appeals run through the process at Sec. 16-40. The section derives from Code 1965, § 25-15, and was last amended by Ord. No. 3912, § 1, adopted 10-26-10.
Violations & Fines
Failing to clear ice or snow within the stated windows is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500.00. All other maintenance failures (debris, overgrown grass strip, swale upkeep) trigger a civil penalty of $100.00 per day after a ten-day cure notice, capped at $5,000.00 per notice; the city can also abate the condition and bill the owner, or seek injunctive relief through the city attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to clear the sidewalk after it snows in Asheville?
How tall can the grass strip next to the sidewalk get before it's a violation?
Does the city fine owners immediately for a dirty sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Asheville
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