Shovel or pay: If you don’t keep your sidewalks clear of snow, there could be consequences. Here’s why

Rebecca Payne

Sun, February 22, 2026 at 10:15 PM GMT+9 4 min read

Major winter storms cause headaches for commuters and municipalities, but they can also come with an unexpected expense for residents and business owners in the form of fines for not clearing their sidewalks.

For example, after a recent heavy snowfall, residents in Alexandria, Virginia, were warned by local news station NBC4 Washington that although the city temporarily suspended fines to give residents a grace period to deal with the cleanup, the city would begin issuing tickets for those who hadn’t cleared their sidewalks (1).

Must Read

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year — and he begs investors not to miss its ‘explosion’

The City of Alexandria website details the responsibilities for property owners, occupants, businesses and community associations, stating that “Snow and ice must be cleared from all paved sidewalks abutting your property within 24-72 hours of the end of the snowfall,” depending on the storm response level.” If you don’t clear your sidewalks, the city says you could face a $50 fine, or the city could do the work and then charge you for the cost.

Many homeowners, especially if they’re newcomers to the wintry parts of the country, might not realize they may be responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks outside their residence. Doing so can limit slips and falls by pedestrians, while keeping them on a safe path and away from roads.

Paying a price

While laws will differ depending on where you live, many municipalities require property owners to maintain the sidewalks that abut their property to some degree. Fines in some cases can reach hundreds of dollars. If you live in a city or town that has such laws, there’s a possibility that you could be liable if someone injures themselves on the sidewalk in front of your property.

In New York City, for example, the law requires property owners to maintain the sidewalks that abut their property “in a reasonably safe condition.” This applies not only to clearing snow, ice or dirt, but also to defective sidewalk flags, which property owners must “reconstruct, repave, repair or replace,” although there is an exemption for one-, two- or three-family residential properties that are wholly or partly owner occupied.

Read More: The average net worth of Americans is a surprising $620,654. But it almost means nothing. Here’s the number that counts (and how to make it skyrocket)

New York City property owners are generally liable for “any injury to property or personal injury, including death,” caused by unmaintained sidewalks. Property owners are required by city law to have personal injury and property damage liability insurance to cover incidents caused by the failure to maintain a sidewalk.

Story continues  

What you can do

If you aren’t sure whether you are required to maintain the sidewalks where you live — and to what degree — it’s a good idea to check the local laws. Your city may simply require you to keep the sidewalk clear of debris, or, like some properties in New York City, you may be required to make repairs.

When it comes to snow and ice removal, your city may have a time frame in which you’re required to clear the sidewalks. For example, in Alexandria, the city will designate weather events based on its winter weather emergency classifications. Such classifications often depend on the type and amount of precipitation. More severe storms might warrant a longer time frame for snow removal.

Renters may want to check their leases to see who is responsible for sidewalk maintenance, particularly during winters.

If your municipality requires property owners to maintain their sidewalks, it’s a good idea to check your insurance policy to see whether it covers personal injury due to an unmaintained sidewalk, as a personal injury lawsuit could mean serious financial impacts. Liability typically depends on who is responsible for what type of maintenance and if negligence played a role.

You May Also Like

Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast

Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and it’s raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and what you can do

Robert Kiyosaki has a grim warning for baby boomers. Many could be ‘wiped out’ and homeless ‘all over’ the country. How to protect yourself now

Non-millionaires can now buy into this $1B private real estate fund for as little as $10. Here's how to get started in minutes

Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines_._

NBC4 Washington (1)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Terms and Privacy Policy

Privacy Dashboard

More Info