Snow or Ice on Sidewalk

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The City does not clean or remove snow or ice from sidewalks in front of residential and commercial property.

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

You may not shovel snow into the street. If a Department of Sanitation supervisor sees you shoveling snow into the street, you may receive a summons.

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

If you do not follow the rules, you may get a ticket from the Department of Sanitation.

Snow Removal Complaints

Complaints about snowy or icy sidewalks are accepted after property owners have had enough time to clear their sidewalks.

Vehicle, Sidewalk, and Driveway Access

The Department of Sanitation does NOT clear access to vehicles, sidewalks, and driveways, whether or not the obstruction was caused by Department of Sanitation plowing activity.

Snow is always plowed to the right side of the street because the same trucks must plow both one-way and two-way streets. Once the plows are mounted on trucks, they cannot be shifted from direction to the other.

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

Call 311 for assistance.

What Happens Next

The Department of Transportation 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.

You can report snow blocking a fire hydrant by phone. Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from hydrants in front of their property.

Call 311 for assistance.

The City hires emergency snow laborers to help clear snow from crosswalks along major commercial streets and at critical locations 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 crosswalk will be cleared.

The City hires emergency snow laborers to help clear snow from 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 City 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: Daily: 6 AM - 10 PM
  • 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: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 8:30 PM; Saturday: 8 AM - 6 PM
  • 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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