New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at Grand Army Plaza in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S., January 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
(New York, New York) – New York City property owners are officially on the clock.
The Department of Sanitation has declared an “end of storm” as of 4:30 p.m. Monday, triggering the city’s sidewalk clearing rules. That means homeowners, landlords, and business owners now have until 8:30 p.m. to shovel snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties — or risk being fined.
What the Law Requires
Under city rules, property owners must clear a four-foot-wide path on the sidewalk in front of their building.
Failure to comply can result in fines, which vary depending on the size and type of property:
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1–2 family homes: $100–$150
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Other residential properties: $150–$350
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Commercial properties: $100–$350
Repeat violations can carry steeper penalties.
Who Is Responsible?
The responsibility falls on:
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Homeowners
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Landlords
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Commercial property owners
Renters are typically not responsible unless explicitly required under a lease agreement.
Corner properties must clear sidewalks on both sides. Snow cannot be pushed into the street, onto neighboring property, or into bike lanes. So what do you do with it? I don’t know…
Why the Deadline Matters
City officials say timely snow removal is essential for pedestrian safety, particularly for seniors and people with disabilities.
Failure to clear sidewalks can lead not only to city fines, but also potential liability if someone is injured due to unsafe conditions.
With temperatures expected to remain below freezing overnight, any untreated snow could quickly turn into hazardous ice.
Property owners are urged to shovel promptly and apply salt or sand to prevent refreezing.
