Posts WASHINGTON (DC News Now) -- Snow looks pretty coming down. It looks pretty good, too, when it blankets an area. Inevitably, what nature gives, homeowners and business owners must take away...or face potential citations and fines from cities and counties. Snow removal ordinances for property owners vary from municipality to municipality, both in the lengths of time each affords people to remove snow from sidewalks and in possible penalties. We have a look at the rules for different locations in the DMV. For more information about the ones listed here, check with the municipality. (You'll want to the same for all of the others that aren't on the list, too.) How much snow did DC get? D.C. When it comes to clearing sidewalks in the District, here's what the city's website lists as the shoveling requirments: DC law requires residential and commercial property owners to remove snow/ice from the sidewalks around their property within the first eight hours of daylight after a storm ends. Otherwise, commercial property owners may be fined $150, and residential property owners may be fined $25. The website notes that shoveling help is available. Homeowners who are 65 or older or people who live in the city and have disabilities, access, and functional needs can contact Serve DC’s DC Volunteer Snow Team by calling 202-727-7925 to sign-up for the DC Volunteer Snow Removal Program. D.C.'s Department of Public Works' Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program releases the same groups of people from the requirement to shovel snow from their sidewalks within the first eight hours after the end of a snowstorm. For more information about the exemption and to apply for it, you can click here. Snowplow Tracker: Find out where plows are in Virginia, Maryland Maryland Montgomery County Montgomery County tells people that "good neighbors" clear their sidewalks of ice and snow, encouraging everyone to "be a good neighbor." County law says that property owners have to shovel sidewalks in front of their properties and alongside them within 24 hours after a snowstorm ends. The county reminds people to keep fire hydrants clear of snow. (In other words, when you shovel, don't pile the snow up around a hydrant.) Montgomery County encourages people to check on older adults and people who may have special needs during inclement weather and after it. Prince George's County County ordinance says that property owners in Prince George's "remove accumulated snow and ice from abutting sidewalks" within 48 hours after snow has fallen or ice has accumulated to a depth of at least 2 inches. If you don't clear abutting sidewalks within 24 hours, someone from the Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) could issue a Reminder Notice/Door Hanger. If you don't clear the sidewalks within 24 hours of being issued a Reminder Notice (or 48 hours from the end of the snow event), you stand to get a citation for a $100 fine. Prince Geroge's County says it will issue another citation "for each subsequent 24-hour period that the snow and ice accumulation continues to obstruct the sidewalk." Snow ice cream recipe Virginia Alexandria Alexandria City Code requires that people remove snow and ice from paved sidewalks within 24 to 72 hours after the end of a snowfall, "depending on thw storm response level." The city lists three levels with the accompanying time in which sidewalks need to be cleared: Level 1 -- 24 hours after snowfall stops Level 2 -- 48 hours after snowfall stops Level 3 -- 72 hours after snowfall stops Alexandria states: "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 in the event there is a storm." Arlington County Property owners in Arlington have to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks that are adjacent to their property. The county specifies that owners have to clear the entire width of the sidewalk, up to 3 feet wide, in order to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and adults who have children in hand. The snow and ice have to be removed: Within 24 hours after the snow stops falling when accumulations are less than 6 inches Within 36 hours when 6 or more inches of snow accumulate (as measured at National Airport, per National Weather Service) If there happens to be another snow event within the timeframes, the clock resets to the end of the most recent snowfall. (In the case of the snow we received on Jan. 6, 2025, people have until 11 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2025 to clear the sidewalks.) If a property owner doesn't get things cleared in the time allotted, the person could receive a $50 penalty for sidewalks less than 200 feet in length or a $100 penalty for sidewalks longer than 200 feet. There are some other potential penalties involved with snow removal. Plus, there are exemptions to the rules. Fairfax County Fairfax County's website says that people who live in the county and/or own buisnesses in the county aren't "legally obligated" to clear snow and ice from sidewalks. Fairfax County does, however, ask people to "help keep sidewalks safe, when possible, by clearing snow off the sidewalks in front of their property so that all pedestrians, especially school children, those with disabilities and the elderly, may walk securely." The county notes that homeowners associations (HOAs) may require peple in those communities to clear walkways. In those cases, you'll want to make sure you know what your HOA says.