Who's Responsible For Shoveling Sidewalks?

There's been a longstanding misconception about what a homeowner's responsibilities actually are when it comes to shoveling snow on their sidewalks. You know, the sidewalks adjacent to the street and your home that are typically considered public property? While many people assume it's the city or town's job to clear them after a snowfall to reduce any potential incidents, the responsibility can sometimes fall on you, the homeowner. It ultimately depends on where you live. Simply put, you, the city or town, or even both, may be responsible for shoveling the sidewalks around your home.

While there aren't really any statewide laws that mandate a homeowner to clear the sidewalks in front of or on the side of their home of snow, there are city laws, called ordinances, that outline what a homeowner's responsibilities are. City ordinances usually outline the extent of those responsibilities and how much liability falls on you if you don't follow the rules. Some cities even specify when shoveling must be completed and how wide the cleared path must be. They'll also list the penalties for failing to comply.

What's more, there are even parts of these laws that cause you to be hit with fines even if you shovel, such as for pushing snow into the street or onto crosswalks. It's important to know what the rules are regarding these city ordinances. What they require homeowners to do in terms of snow removal, and how to determine your responsibilities. After all, the last thing you want is someone getting hurt near your property and you being hit with a fine.

You can check your city or town's website or search for your local snow-removal ordinance to see if you're required to remove snow from your sidewalk. To give an example of one ordinance, let's look at Chicago's snow-shoveling rules. While homeowners can't be held liable if they do shovel snow, they can be penalized if they don't. Chicago requires homeowners to shovel sidewalks seven days a week if necessary, and sidewalks must be cleared by 10 a.m. after an overnight snowfall or by 10 p.m. if it snows during the day. Residents also have to clear a 5-foot-wide path to keep sidewalks accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. If a homeowner fails to comply, it can result in fines of up to $500 per day. Boston and Cincinnati are two other cities that also require homeowners to shovel snow and ice from abutting or adjoining sidewalks.

If you're renting and the city requires property owners to shovel sidewalks, the landlord is generally responsible for removing the snow. However, check your lease, as the landlord may have transferred that responsibility to you. In Boston, for example, a landlord can pass the duty onto you if the rental property has one entrance that's only used by the occupants of the home you're renting. The good news is that if your city requires it, there are plenty of hacks that can make shoveling snow easier. The important thing is to get it done.