NYC rules · Ask Grok
Your question and our answer are saved so we can improve this guide. If you are signed in, the question is linked to your account.
SidewalkSnitch / Rulebook / Snow & Ice / DOT-SNW-001
Snow & Ice — Must Be Cleared Within 4 Hours of Snowfall
Regulation
Snow & Ice · NYC DOT / DSNY · NYC Administrative Code §16-123
Snow & Ice — Must Be Cleared Within 4 Hours of Snowfall is enforced by NYC DOT / DSNY under NYC Administrative Code §16-123. Severity default: Medium.
The regulation
Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk adjacent to their property within 4 hours after snowfall ends (or by 11am if snowfall stops overnight). Failure to clear creates a hazard and is subject to fines.
What to photograph
- snow or ice covering sidewalk adjacent to a property or business
- uncleared snow while neighboring sidewalks appear cleared
- icy patches creating a slip hazard for pedestrians
- snow accumulation blocking wheelchair ramps or building entrances
How to file a complaint
- Photograph the snow or ice with the address in frame.
- Note when the snow stopped falling — the 4-hour rule runs from the end of the storm, not from midnight.
- File at 311 under Snow or Ice. Say whether it is a sidewalk, a street, or a hydrant area.
Official channel: portal.311.nyc.gov or dial 311. Agency: NYC DOT / DSNY.
Penalties & fines
A property owner who does not clear the sidewalk within 4 hours of the end of a snowfall can be fined. The city clears the street; the owner clears the sidewalk.
What happens after you file
DSNY inspects sidewalk snow and issues violations to the property owner. The city removes snow from the street and clears hydrants.
FAQ
Can I file anonymously?
311 requires contact information for follow-up. Your identity is not shared with the violator. SidewalkSnitch requires phone verification for filings.
Does SidewalkSnitch submit this to 311 automatically?
We prepare the text. You file it on 311. Nothing goes to 311 unless you send it.