Hampton, VA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Removal deadline
- 3 hours after snowfall ends
- Overnight snow
- clear by 9:00 a.m.
- No occupant
- duty shifts to owner
- State authority
- Va. Code § 15.2-1115
Summary
Hampton's code puts the job of clearing snow and ice off an abutting sidewalk on the occupant, or the owner if the lot is vacant, with removal due within three hours of the snowfall stopping.
It shall be the duty of the occupant of every house or lot which has a sidewalk of brick, stone, wood, concrete or other permanent material adjoining or touching upon the same, either in the front or rear or on either side, to have all snow removed from such sidewalk within three (3) hours after the same has ceased falling, unless such snow has fallen during the night, in which case it shall be removed by 9:00 a.m. the next morning. The same requirements shall exist with respect to ice and sleet. When there is no tenement on such lot or any occupant of any tenement thereon, it shall be the duty of the owner of such lot or tenement to have the snow or ice removed. In case there is no occupant of the premises and the owner or agent cannot be found, then the city manager shall have the sidewalk cleaned or covered at the expense of the owner.
(Code 1956, § 19-4; Code 1964, § 37-8; Ord. 1456, 1-24-07)
State Law reference— Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1115.
Secs. 34-11—34-25. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton City Code § 34-10 places snow and ice removal from an abutting public sidewalk on the property next to it. The occupant of any house or lot with a sidewalk of brick, stone, wood or concrete must clear all snow within three hours after it stops falling, or by 9:00 a.m. the next morning if it fell overnight, the same three-hour duty applies to ice and sleet. If there is no occupant, the duty falls to the owner; if neither can be found, the city manager may have the walk cleared or covered and bill the owner. This is the concrete sidewalk-maintenance duty in Hampton's own code; it does not separately assign the cost of structural sidewalk repair to abutting owners, which the department of public works otherwise handles.
Violations & Fines
Leaving snow or ice on an abutting sidewalk past the three-hour window lets the city manager clear or cover it and bill the cost to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to shovel the sidewalk outside my Hampton house?
Does Hampton make homeowners pay to fix cracked sidewalks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
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