NYC Snow Shoveling Laws: What You Need To Know

BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklynites who own a house, building, or any other property have to follow strict requirements when it comes to NYC's snow shoveling laws:

• While the snow is still falling, complaints about snowy or icy sidewalks that people file against your property to the city will not be accepted.
• Shoveling means clearing snow and ice on sidewalks for pedestrians to walk through, and clearing snow and ice from sidewalks that are adjacent to bus stops and fire hydrants.
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• To make it easier for the fire department to put out a fire on your block, shovel around every fire hydrant for easier access. This is not a rule, but it is kind.
• According to NYC's shoveling law, if snow stops falling between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., sidewalks have to be cleared within four hours.
• If snow stops falling between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., sidewalks have to be cleared within 14 hours.
• If snow stops falling between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., sidewalks have to be cleared by 11 a.m.

If you neglect to follow the rules, the city can issue you a summons and potentially a fine. In the past, these fines have been anywhere from $100 to $150 for the first offense and incrementally more for the second and third. Anyone can make a complaint to 311 about public property not being properly shoveled — schools, bus stops, shelters and park pedestrian paths.

Photo via Patch