Sidewalks – Removal of Snow and Ice Bill 76-25
Anne Arundel County Council passed Bill No. 76-25; Sidewalks – Removal of Snow and Ice. The bill goes into effect January 19, 2026, and modifies the existing code requirements (§ 9-1-710) for removal of snow and ice from sidewalks.
Enforcement of Bill 76-25
Enforcement of Bill 76-25 will be complaint-driven and will not be based on proactive inspections performed by county staff.
- The Department of Inspections and Permits will only become involved if a complaint is made after the initial compliance window (24 or 48 hours after a snow/ice event) has passed.
- The purpose of this legislation is to encourage neighbors to lend a hand to one another, and focus county resources on ensuring safe travel on county roads.
It is understood that owners, users, lessees, or occupants may need extra time to clear walkways of snow and ice, especially following a heavy storm. Therefore, the complaint process allows for a crucial 24 hour grace period following a winter storm event. This allows owners, users, lessees, or occupants to comply with law before a fine is issued.
The enforcement process is as follows:
- Owners, users, lessees, or occupants of a property have 24 hours (for less than 3 inches of snow/ice) or 48 hours (for 3 or more inches of snow/ice) after a winter storm event ends to clear their sidewalk.
- After the compliance window detailed above, the Department of Inspections and Permits will have an inspector conduct a site investigation when a complaint is received.
- If a violation is found, a reminder notice will be posted in a conspicuous location on the property. This notice allows an additional 24 hours to clear the snow or ice.
- The property will be reinspected after the additional 24 hour period, and if the snow/ice has not been removed, a violation notice will be posted.
- The property may be referred to the Department of Public Works to arrange for removal. All costs and expenses associated with the removal shall constitute a lien on the property, and collected in the same manner as provided for the collection of taxes.
- In addition to any other remedy the county may have, fines may be assessed. Violations are civil offenses and each day a violation exists is a separate offense as outlined in the county code.
- Residential Property: Class E (Fine up to $50)
- All Other Property: Class D (Fine up to $125)
This process ensures that owners, users, lessees, or occupants are given a minimum of 48 hours (or more, depending on the snowfall amount) and a direct warning before facing any financial penalty.
Report using 3-1-1
Citizens are encouraged to dial 3-1-1 to reach a customer service representative who will listen to your concern and take action.
Report using See-Click-Fix
Citizens can submit a concern on a computer or mobile device by using the see-click-fix app or website.
Frequently Asked Questions
The deadline depends on the total accumulation.
- Less than 3 inches: Must be removed within 24 hours after a weather event ends.
- 3 inches or more: Must be removed within 48 hours after a weather event ends.
- Enforcement is complaint-driven.
- If a violation is reported, the county will post a notice allowing an additional 24 hours to clear the sidewalk. A fine is only issued after this extra time has passed without compliance.
Violations are civil, not criminal offenses. Fines vary depending on the type of property. Note: Each day a violation exists is a separate offense.
- Residential Property: Class E Civil Offense (Fine up to $50).
- All Other Property: Class D Civil Offense (Fine up to $125).
- The obligation to clear the sidewalk falls on the owners, users, lessees, or occupants of the property.
- If you anticipate being out of town during a winter weather event, you are still responsible for ensuring the sidewalk is cleared by hiring a service or coordinating with a neighbor.
- We assume that individuals who cannot physically perform this task will arrange for assistance, such as hiring a neighbor or a service, as they have done in past years. However, we recognize that not all residents have a support network, which is why we emphasize community-based assistance as well as our own county snow removal efforts.
- The county does not have a direct, free snow-shoveling service, but there are resources available to connect residents with potential community aid. Although our official guidance encourages neighbors to 'lend a hand where needed' to help those who depend on sidewalks for transit or daily needs, making it a community-wide responsibility that goes beyond the law, residents can contact resources like:
- Nextdoor.com, Neighbors Helping Neighbors (AACo), or local churches for assistance.
- Angi.com to find a snow removal company to remove snow from sidewalks.
- Maryland Access Point or 2-1-1 to connect older adults and individuals with disabilities to local non-profit and community resources, which often include volunteer snow removal programs and financial aid options.
- The Department of Public Works (DPW) may clear the snow, and the cost will be charged to the property owner.
- The costs and expenses of the removal become a lien on the property abutting the sidewalk and will be collected in the same manner as property taxes.
Sidewalks "fronting" your property are defined as facing the road that provides access to the property, as well as facing side lot lines and corner side lot lines.
Complaints can be reported by calling 3-1-1 or by reporting online through SeeClickFix https://www.aacounty.org/contact/report-concern.
This new ordinance goes into effect on January 19th, 2026.
Contact the Inspector listed on the notice, the Department of Inspections and Permits at 410-222-7788, or via email to licensemailbox@aacounty.org to let them know that you are actively trying to obtain service.
- Even if fines are waived, you are required to have the sidewalk cleared within the timeframe.
- If not, the Department of Public Works (DPW) may clear the snow, and the cost will be charged to the property owner. The costs and expenses of the removal become a lien on the property abutting the sidewalk and will be collected in the same manner as property taxes.
- This bill pertains to sidewalks fronting residential, commercial, and government properties.
- Snow removal from roads follows the information outlined on the Department of Public Work’s Snow Removal website and Snow Level of Service website.
The implementation plan is focused on county enforcement and does not govern private arrangements. Concerns about personal security and property liability pertain to the homeowner's private decisions to arrange service, not the county's enforcement of the ordinance.