Is It Illegal To Break Out The Snow Blower Before Dawn? Here's What You Need To Know

Snowfall is dreamy and romantic in the movies, and even more so when you're witnessing it from the warmth and coziness of your home. For some, however, it can severely impact routines, responsibilities, and overall safety. It's important to clear it away fast to reinstate normalcy and order, so the urge to bring out the snow blower as early in the day as possible is more than understandable — especially considering that the best time to shovel snow for easier removal is right after it's fallen. Though be warned: Breaking out the snow blower before dawn is actually illegal in certain locations.

Certain cities actually demand homeowners to remove snow from their front lawns and adjacent pathways within a short period of time, typically 24 or 48 hours. You may even owe a fine if you don't shovel snow in some places. At the same time, though, there are noise regulations in place that prevent people from using machines like snow blowers before dawn. Each city has a specific set of rules, but may make exceptions to those noise ordinances for snow blowers in emergencies. It's important to be up to date with the specifics in your region to avoid fines and other penalties. On a more intuitive level, however, you should always strive to find a balance between respecting your neighbors' peace and ensuring the safety and maintenance of your surroundings.

Looking at some of the most snow-prone cities in the U.S. can help paint a picture of what to expect in your area. Syracuse, New York, the country's snowiest city, averaging nearly 11 feet of snow each year, per Fox Weather, allows citizens to remove snow using snow blowers starting as early as 5 a.m. in the case of snow accumulation. Neighboring Rochester, similarly heavily affected by snow, also opens an exception for snow machine use under its excessive noise ordinances. Buffalo, meanwhile, prohibits the use of noisy equipment like lawn mowers before 7 a.m., but clarifies that noise made by snow blowers is not considered "unreasonable" in cases of urgent necessity or when it benefits public health, safety, and convenience. 

On the other hand, in Boulder, Colorado, which Fox Weather lists as the 5th snowiest big city in the country, snow blowers and lawn mowers are grouped together, and can only be used from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Flagstaff, Arizona, allows for slightly earlier use at 6 a.m. Anchorage, Alaska, issues noise permits for snow removal outside of the allowed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. timespan, but they must be submitted at least 20 days prior, which isn't exactly practical. 

Fines for breaking these laws range anywhere from 30 to several hundred dollars and can even result in an arrest. To make driveway snow removal easier for everyone, it's important to be reasonable as well as communicative. If you're expecting heavy snow overnight and know you'll have an early start at work, talk to your neighbors to find a solution that works for both of you, while always keeping the local laws in mind.