Connecticut Sidewalk Snow Removal Liability Limitation Law

Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 7-163a allows any municipality, by ordinance, to shift liability for injuries caused by snow and ice on public sidewalks from the city to the owner or occupant of abutting property. Once a town adopts the shift via ordinance, the property owner becomes legally responsible for injuries from unremoved snow or ice. The statute creates the uniform legal framework, though specific clearing deadlines (typically 4-24 hours after snowfall) are set locally. The state Highway Defect Statute (Sec. 13a-149) governs claims against municipalities not adopting the shift.

Property owners face civil liability for slip-and-fall injuries plus municipal fines for non-compliance with clearing ordinances, typically $50-$250 per occurrence per local schedule.