Are Virginia homeowners required to clear snow from public sidewalks?

Often, yes, but not because of a single Virginia law. It depends on where you live. VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails, rather, it concentrates on the roads.^[1] In some cases, local ordinances mandate property owners, which includes residents and businesses, must clear the snow from sidewalks.^[1] So the answer, and the deadline and penalty, come from your city, town or county.

Two Virginia cities, two rules

Richmond says the sidewalks next to your property are the responsibility of the property owner or occupants, and that City Code requires sidewalks to be cleared within 6 hours of snow stopping or by 11 a.m. the next day if snow falls through the night.^[2] Richmond also says residents, property owners and business owners are responsible for clearing their own driveways, parking lots and sidewalks.^[2]

Alexandria's City Code Section 5-2-21 makes sidewalks, driveways and entrances the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, occupant, community association or business for snow removal.^[3] Snow and ice must be cleared from all paved sidewalks abutting the property within 24 to 72 hours of the end of the snowfall, depending on the storm response level.^[3] Level 1 is 24 hours after snowfall stops, Level 2 is 48 hours and Level 3 is 72 hours.^[3] Alexandria says a property owner who fails to clear the sidewalk in time may be fined $50, plus the cost of the City having the sidewalk cleared.^[3]

Those are two examples, not a statewide list. Other localities may have no sidewalk snow rule at all, a different clock, or a different penalty. The only reliable way to know is to read your own locality's ordinance or call its public works or 311 line.

Who counts as responsible

Both cities put the duty on the property next to the sidewalk. Alexandria's wording covers the adjacent owner, occupant, community association or business, which means renters and HOAs can be on the hook too. Your lease or HOA rules may also say who actually does the shoveling.

If a sidewalk runs beside public property such as a school or park, the locality may handle it. In Alexandria, accessible curb ramps, sidewalks and pathways that abut publicly owned property are cleared by crews from City departments or Alexandria City Public Schools personnel.^[3]

If you cannot do it yourself

A deadline does not move because you are away or cannot lift a shovel. Alexandria says owners and tenants who may be unavailable or unable to clear sidewalks themselves are responsible for making arrangements to have the work done for them.^[3] It also says that if you leave the City during winter you should have a plan to ensure that your sidewalks will be cleared, to avoid fines, snow removal fees, or both.^[3]

Ask a neighbor, or hire a snow service before the storm, when schedules are open. Agree on the price, whether salt or sand is included, and how soon after the snow stops they come. If that is later than your locality's deadline, the crew is not covering you. Costs are covered in how much it costs to have walkways and steps shoveled in Virginia.

How to meet the duty

1. Find your locality's rule and write down the deadline.
2. Confirm which sidewalk is yours.
3. Shovel early and often. Newly fallen snow is lighter than heavily packed or partially melted snow.^[3]
4. Push the snow instead of lifting it and take breaks.
5. Pile snow on your own property. Alexandria asks residents not to shovel snow from their property onto the sidewalk or street.^[3]
6. Clear any hydrant or storm drain beside your home.
7. Line up cover if you will be away.

Shoveling is hard work

Alexandria cautions that strenuous physical activity can increase the risk of illness and injury, especially heart attacks.^[3] It advises that anyone with a medical condition or who does not exercise regularly should talk with a doctor before shoveling and, if necessary, hire someone to remove the snow.^[3] For tips on keeping a cleared walk from refreezing, see how to keep outdoor steps from icing over.

Stop and call a pro if

• you have a heart condition, back problems or any medical reason not to shovel; hire someone instead
• the snow is deep, heavy or icy enough that you cannot clear the walk by deadline
• ice has built up on steps or a ramp that salt and a scraper do not clear
• you will be away through a storm and have no one to cover for you
• snow has slid or piled up from a roof above the walk and you would have to climb up to deal with it; leave roofs to a professional

Next steps

Browse snow and seasonal answers or find snow and seasonal services near you. For how pros price whole-property clearing, see how much snow removal costs in Virginia.

To get a crew lined up, describe the job once and local businesses quote it.