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Snow removal laws vary across the United States, with each state having its own regulations and requirements. In many states, property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within a certain timeframe after a snowfall. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines or penalties. For example, in Connecticut, property owners or residents must clear snow from adjacent public walkways and gutters, while in Iowa, residents must clear snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall. Some states, like Alaska, do not have specific statewide laws but may have regulations at the local level.
Interestingly, some states, such as Florida and Hawaii, do not have state snow removal laws due to their warm climates where snow is not a common occurrence. On the other hand, states like Colorado and Michigan have clear guidelines mandating property owners to ensure safe access to their properties by removing snow and ice. Additionally, states like New York and Pennsylvania hold property owners accountable for maintaining sidewalks outside their properties to prevent accidents and ensure pedestrian safety. These laws aim to prevent slip and fall accidents during the winter months and promote safe travel for pedestrians. Overall, understanding and complying with snow removal laws is crucial to maintaining public safety and avoiding potential legal consequences.
State | State Has Snow Removal Law | Snow Removal Law Details |
---|---|---|
Alaska | Yes | Property owners are required to maintain their driveways and in most areas, the approach roads to th... |
Colorado | Yes | The owners of buildings, stores, and any other public places are responsible for removing snow and i... |
Connecticut | Yes | Owner or resident is responsible for snow removal on adjacent public walkways and public gutters.|
S... |
Delaware | Yes | The state assumes responsibility for clearing sidewalks along public roadways, however property owne... |
Idaho | Yes | The owner of a building (home, business, church, etc) is to keep their sidewalks clear of snow every... |
Illinois | Yes | Residents and property owners are encouraged to remove snow from sidewalks and public walkways.|
Any... |
Iowa | Yes | Property owners must clear snow from adjacent sidewalks within a reasonable time after a snowstorm.|... |
Maine | Yes | Residents and residential property owners have 12 hours to remove snow or ice after a storm has ende... |
Massachusetts | Yes | Property owners and landlords are responsible for managing all snow and ice on their property and ke... |
Michigan | Yes | Snow, as well as ice, shall be removed from sidewalks in order to reduce the likelihood of injuries ... |
Minnesota | Yes | Snow and ice must be removed within 24 hours from public sidewalks.|
Snow cannot be cleared onto any... |
Nebraska | Yes | In cities of over 100,000 people, property owners must clear snow from adjoining sidewalks.|
Owners ... |
New Hampshire | Yes | Sidewalks on public roads are maintained and cleared of snow and ice by the municipality at no addit... |
New Jersey | Yes | Single-family homeowners have no duty to clear snow or ice from their property and will only be held... |
New York | Yes | Municipal ordinances require property owners to remove snow and ice from walkways and sidewalks outs... |
Pennsylvania | Yes | Property owners and occupants have a legal duty to shovel sidewalks within a specified time after a ... |
Rhode Island | Yes | All snow must be removed by the property owner from a path not less than three (3) feet in width of ... |
Alabama | No | |
Arizona | No | In some cities in Arizona, local laws require owners, lessees, or residents to remove snow from publ... |
Arkansas | No | No state snow-removal law. Owners may be liable if snow is cleared and an accident occurs. |
California | No | The act of putting snow or other materials on a public right-of-way is a violation of CVC 23112 and ... |
Florida | No | |
Georgia | No | No state snow-removal requirements. However, if an individual does shovel snow, it may not be placed... |
Hawaii | No | |
Indiana | No | Local regulations in some areas prohibit obstructing roadways, and pushing or shoveling snow into th... |
Kansas | No | In Wichita, KS property owners must shovel snow and ice from public sidewalks for face a fine and a ... |
Kentucky | No | Property owners are responsible for removing snow from walkways within 4 hours after daylight and af... |
Louisiana | No | |
Maryland | No | Depending on the city, residents have 12-72 hours to remove snow from public sidewalks. |
Mississippi | No | No state regulation regarding snow removal from public sidewalks by owners.|
Some cities have a snow... |
Missouri | No | Most Missouri cities require property owners to clear any sidewalks on the public streets alongside ... |
Montana | No | City ordinances require residents to clear public walkways, driveways and sidewalks of snow and ice ... |
Nevada | No | The burden is on property owners to keep their properties, and the adjoining public sidewalks, free ... |
New Mexico | No | In some cities, property owners must shovel their sidewalks after each snowstorm to ensure safe pede... |
North Carolina | No | Cities like Asheville, NC have a local ordinance that states property owners are required to clear t... |
North Dakota | No | In Fargo, ND, the Street Department maintains approximately 34 miles of City sidewalk and will clear... |
Ohio | No | No official state law requires homeowners to remove snow.|
However, several local ordinances do requ... |
Oklahoma | No | An ordinance in Tulsa, OK states that property owners and residents must remove snow from public sid... |
Oregon | No | State law says the home or property owner is responsible if someone slips or falls and is injured on... |
South Carolina | No | |
South Dakota | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |
Tennessee | No | Property owners are expected to take steps to remove snow and ice within a reasonable time after it ... |
Texas | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |
Utah | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |
Vermont | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |
Virginia | No | Depending on the amount of snow (0-6 inches or 6+ inches), property owners have 24-72 hours to remov... |
Washington | No | In some cities and towns, the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks or may ... |
West Virginia | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |
Wisconsin | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |
Wyoming | No | No specific state laws regarding snow removal from sidewalks around residential properties. |
The st... |