Baltimore City issues 100 citations for unshoveled sidewalks after winter storm, tightening enforcement this week

Enforcement began after multiple days of inspections

Baltimore City issued 100 citations to property owners for failing to clear snow and ice from sidewalks following the recent winter storm, marking a shift from initial leniency to active enforcement. City officials said the citations were issued over three consecutive days—February 2, February 3, and February 4—after conditions remained hazardous on numerous blocks.

The enforcement effort reflects a long-standing city requirement that places responsibility for sidewalk snow and ice removal on the owners or occupants of adjacent properties. The rules are designed to keep pedestrian routes passable for residents, workers, students, and people with mobility limitations, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers.

What the law requires property owners to do

Baltimore’s code requires sidewalks abutting a property to be cleared after snowfall that results in accumulation. The timing standard is tied to when precipitation ends: snow and ice must be removed within 6 hours after snow stops falling. If snowfall ends overnight—between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m.—the deadline shifts to 11 a.m.

The code also sets expectations for how the work is performed, including leaving a clear path at least two feet wide and avoiding practices that create secondary hazards, such as blocking drainage along the curb.

• Clear sidewalks after a snow or ice accumulation.
• Meet the deadline based on when the snowfall ends.
• Leave a walkable path at least two feet wide.
• Keep gutters and curbside drainage from being obstructed.

Fines and how disputes are handled

City materials outlining winter responsibilities specify that fines for failing to clear sidewalks are $50 for residential properties and $100 for commercial properties. Separate city enforcement procedures provide for citations to be contested through the Environmental Control Board, which handles appeals and adjudication for a range of municipal civil violations.

City officials said enforcement moved forward after an initial period of leniency following the storm, citing persistent ice and cold conditions.

How residents report problem areas and seek assistance

Residents can report uncleared sidewalks by contacting the city’s 311 system, which is also used for service requests during winter events. City guidance for winter operations emphasizes using 311 both to document locations that remain unsafe and to request assistance or follow-up for reported hazards.

The city’s broader sidewalk policies also emphasize that adjacent property owners are responsible for routine maintenance of the footway, including snow and ice removal, while city transportation crews focus on street operations and other municipal responsibilities during storm response.