Keeping our sidewalks free of ice and snow is the neighborly thing to do, and it's the law.  For your own benefit and to help your neighbors, people pushing strollers or using wheelchairs, and the many people in Hagerstown who walk, please do your part.

City of Hagerstown ordinance requires that property owners clear sidewalks after the end of a snowfall within 24 hours.

When you shovel snow and clear ice?

• Shovel the sidewalks on all sides of your property, the full width of the sidewalk or 48 inches, which ever is less, down to the bare pavement
• Remove all ice and snow conditions from sidewalks
• Pile snow on your property.  It’s against the law to shovel snow into streets and alleys
• If you have a corner property, be sure to clear curb cuts at corners and crosswalks to the street.

Avoid getting a City bill for shoveling

• If the City of Hagerstown gets a complaint or discovers that a sidewalk is not properly cleared, City staff will inspect the sidewalk and give the property owners a day to clear it.
• Crews will remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk. Property owners will be billed for this service, and unpaid bills will be added to the owner’s property tax.
• If the sidewalk has not been cleared after a reasonable time, the property owner may be subject to a fine.

Remember

• You are as responsible for clearing ice on your sidewalk as you are for clearing snow. Ice can be more dangerous and intimidating than snow.
• The sooner and more completely you shovel, the less likely ice will form.
• Make arrangements for someone to take over while you are out of town.
• Help your neighbor.

Report sidewalks that need shoveling

To report a sidewalk that is not shoveled, use Report Sidewalk with Snow or Ice form or call 301-790-4163 ext. 103.

Download this snow shoveling flyer to tell other about the rules and importance of sidewalk snow clearance.