Snow or Ice on Sidewalk

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Property owners must clear snow or ice from their sidewalks. The City doesn't clean or remove snow or ice from sidewalks in front of residential or commercial property.

Snow Shoveling Rules

If you own any lot or building, you must:

  • Clear snow and ice on your sidewalk to create a path at least 4 feet wide
  • Clear a path to the crosswalk, including pedestrian ramps (curb cuts), if you own a corner property
  • Shovel bus stops and fire hydrants in front of your property

If the snow stops falling between:

  • 7 AM and 5 PM, you must clear sidewalks within 4 hours
  • 5 PM and 9 PM, you must clear sidewalks within 14 hours
  • 9 PM and 7 AM, you must clear sidewalks by 11 AM

You may not shovel snow into the street.

If you don't follow snow shoveling rules, you may receive a ticket from the Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

What You Can Report

You can report snow or ice on sidewalks in front of residential or commercial properties after property owners have had enough time to clear their sidewalks.

What You Can't Report

DSNY doesn't clear access to vehicles, sidewalks, and driveways, even if the obstruction was caused by plowing activity.

DSNY is not accepting complaints at this time. Complaints about snowy or icy sidewalks are accepted after property owners have had enough time to clear their sidewalks.

You can report snow inside a bus stop shelter.

What You Can’t Report

If there is snow at a bus stop without a shelter, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to clear the sidewalk. You can report it as a snowy or icy sidewalk in front of a residential or commercial building instead.

Call 311 for assistance.

What Happens Next

The Department of Transportation (DOT) will send your complaint to a contractor for snow and ice removal. If no shelter exists at the reported location, no further action will be taken.

Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from hydrants in front of their property. You can report snow blocking a fire hydrant to the Fire Department.

Call 311 for assistance.

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) hires emergency snow laborers to help clear snow from pedestrian overpasses and underpasses once all streets have been cleared. This effort takes time because it requires manual labor.

You may file Service Requests beginning 72 hours after streets have been cleared. There is no guarantee that every overpass or underpass will be cleared.

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) hires emergency snow laborers to help clear snow from medians once all streets have been cleared. This effort takes time because it requires manual labor.

You may file Service Requests beginning 72 hours after streets have been cleared. There is no guarantee that every median will be cleared.

Public Schools

Private or Charter Schools

To report snow or ice on the sidewalk in front of a private or charter school, contact the school directly.

You can report snow or ice on sidewalks in front of police precincts. 

Online

Email the New York City Police Department.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

What Happens Next

Officers from your local police precinct will respond when they are not handling emergency situations.

You can report snow or ice on sidewalks in front of a subway station.

Online

Contact the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

By Phone

  • Agency: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • Division: New York City Transit Customer Service
  • Phone Number: 511
  • Business Hours:
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Call volume is often high. If you don't get through, call back later.

You can report snow or ice on sidewalks in front of a post office.

Online

Contact the United States Post Office (USPS).

By Phone

  • Agency: United States Postal Service
  • Division: United States Postal Service Hotline
  • Phone Number: (800) 275-8777
  • Business Hours:
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Spanish. Additional languages are available through a staff person.

You can report snow or ice on a sidewalk in front of a courthouse.

If there is an emergency or a condition that needs immediate attention, you can speak to the chief clerk or the court officer of that court.

If the situation is not an emergency, you can file a complaint on the NY Courts website.

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