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Arlington County:

https://emergency.arlingtonva.us/weather/snow-ice/snow-removal-ordinance/

Ordinance Specifics for Residents and


Business Owners
Snow and ice removal All property owners are required to remove snow and ice
from public sidewalks adjacent to their property:
o Must be removed from the entire width of the sidewalk up to 3 feet wide
(to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and adults with children in hand).
o Must be removed within 24 hours after the snow stops falling when
accumulations are less than 6 inches, and within 36 hours when 6 or more inches of snow
accumulate (as measured at National Airport, per National Weather Service). If another snow
event occurs, the clock will reset to the end of the most recent snowfall. We will post the
official snow ending time on this webpage.
o Noncompliance could result in a civil penalty of $50 for sidewalks less than
200 linear feet in length, or $100 for sidewalks longer than 200 feet.
o The County may remove the snow or ice on sidewalks around private
property when the owner fails to comply within the designated time period, and charge
the cost to the owner.
Depositing snow and ice on streets or sidewalks: Private owners may not
deposit snow or ice from private property onto public property, including streets &
sidewalks. Such action may result in a class 4 (criminal) misdemeanor and fine of $250.
The County is responsible for clearing sidewalks bordering County government-
owned property. Read about the Countys snowfighting efforts.
Commercial property owners are expected to comply with the Ordinance. Snow
clearing should be part of basic business operating plans.

Fairfax County:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/shovel/responsible-for-snow.htm

Who Does What


Homeowners, associations and businesses are responsible for private streets and sidewalks.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for plowing public roads, but NOT for sidewalks.
If you live in an apartment or condo, check with your management company for responsibilities and
expectations.
7 Places to Shovel
1. The sidewalk in front of your home.
2. The sidewalk in front of vacant homes or homes where residents are unable to shovel.
3. Fire hydrants.
4. Bus stops.
5. Sidewalks/paths that lead to schools or community buildings where snow has been removed.
6. Bike trails.
7. Stormdrains.

Loudoun County:
https://www.loudoun.gov/index.aspx?NID=3717

Shoveling Snow and Clearing Hydrants


Shovel your sidewalks: Be a good neighbor and clear the sidewalk in front of and alongside your home
following the end of the snowstorm. Chapter 1022.01 of the Loudoun County Codified
Ordinances requires snow removal on sidewalks on properties that are adjacent to public streets.

Clear snow from decks: Snow is heavy and can put a great deal of strain on decks. If you can safely
shovel the snow from your deck, do so.

Clear fire hydrants: Firefighters need to be able to quickly locate fire hydrants, or lives and property
could be lost. Adopt a fire hydrant near your home and clear a three-foot radius around hydrants.

Emergency exits: Businesses should take steps to clear the snow from emergency exits.

Clear storm drains:After a large snow, as the temperatures increase, the potential for flooding exists.
Make sure that the snow is cleared from storm drains to prevent pooling and flooding that may result from
melting snow.

Be safe: Avoid injury and over exertion by pacing yourself and taking frequent breaks to rest, gently
stretch your back, arms and legs. Be careful when shoveling snow, clearing ice, pushing a car, or similar
activities.

Prince William County


http://www.pwcgov.org/news/pages/anticipated-winter-snow-fall-opens-removal-
questions.aspx

While there is no legal requirement in Prince William County to do so, residents and businesses
are encouraged to remove snow from sidewalks, if they are able. We ask that people clear
snow from their sidewalks so that there is a safe place for people to walk. Otherwise, children
and other pedestrians end up walking in the street, which is not a safe alternative, said Prince
William County spokeswoman Nikki Brown.
Falls Church City
http://www.fallschurchva.gov/199/Snow-Removal-Policies

Residential Policy
Per City Code, residents must remove snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding the property 12 hours after
snowfall. If the snow falls at night, residents have 12 hours after sunrise to remove it. Snow / ice must not be
placed on city streets.

Residential Fines
Fines are within a 5-year period:

o 1st Offense - $100

o 2nd Offense - $200

o 3rd Offense - $500

Fairfax City
file:///C:/Users/kmann/Downloads/City%20Snow%20and%20Ice%20Control
%20Brochure.PDF
Snow Removal Responsibilities of Residents. Property owners must clean snow
from their driveways and sidewalks. Snow should be piled to the right-hand side of
the driveway (facing the street). Though plow drivers may accidentally push snow in
driveways, time restraints prevent them from removing it. Pushing snow back in the
street is illegal and is punishable with a fine.

Fredericksburg City
http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/index.aspx?NID=730
Sidewalks
Residents and business owners are required to clear snow/ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their
property. Anyone with brick sidewalks adjacent to their property should avoid using salt (Sodium Chloride)
on snow/ice. Salt will damage brick sidewalks and also cause staining of the red bricks. Please use sand
or Magnesium Chloride.

When clearing sidewalks and driveways, please do not throw snow into public streets or alleys. Snow
should be thrown into yards or piled around the base of trees where possible. Depositing snow on
roadways is a safety hazard and is not permitted.

When shoveling driveways, piling snow to the right of your driveway when facing the street will help
prevent snow plows from re-depositing the snow across the entrance to your driveway as it passes by.

In periods of snowy/icy weather, please be aware our crews may not be able to collect trash/recycling
from an area other than the curb...particularly if the pathways to the trash location are not clear of
snow/ice. The purpose of this policy is to prevent injury to City crews and protect property owners from
potential liability associated with an employee falling or otherwise being injured on private property.

Alexandria City
https://www.alexandriava.gov/special/weather/snow/default.aspx?id=40386
City Code Section 5-2-21 states that sidewalks, driveways, and entrances are the
responsibility of the adjacent property owner, occupant, community association, or
business for snow removal. Snow and ice must be cleared from all paved sidewalks
abutting your property within 24-72 hours of the end of the snowfall, depending on
the storm response level (Level 1 =24 hours; Level 2 = 48 hours; Level 3= 72
hours).

Manassas City
http://www.manassascity.org/2164/Snow-and-the-Law

Sec. 102-7. - Removal of snow and ice from


sidewalks

It shall be the duty of the occupant of any property which has a sidewalk of brick, wood or
concrete abutting on such property to have all snow removed from such sidewalk within 12
hours after it has ceased falling; provided that, if snow falls during the night, it shall be removed
by 5:00 p.m. on the following day. The same requirements shall exist with respect to ice or sleet
on sidewalks, except that ice and sleet, if it cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk,
shall be covered, within the time required in this section, with sawdust, ashes or other material
which will render the sidewalk safe for travel. When there is no occupant of such property, it
shall be the duty of the owner thereof to have snow, ice and sleet removed or covered as
provided in this section. If after such reasonable notice as the city may prescribe the owner or
occupant of the property affected by the provisions of this section shall fail to abate or obviate
the condition, the director of public works may do so and charge and collect the cost thereof
from the owner or occupant of the property affected in any manner provided by law for the
collection of Commonwealth or local taxes. (Code 1978, 28-32) State Law reference
Removal of snow and other nuisances, Code of Virginia, 15.2-1115.

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