When Neighbors Don’t Shovel Their Snow, What Do You Do? Block Talk

Every winter, there’s at least one section of sidewalk along your daily walk where neighbors haven’t cleared their snow.

These sections become snow-packed and are subject to daily thawing and freezing cycles that can turn them into ice-skating rinks.

Most cities and towns require that measurable snow and ice be cleared from public sidewalks within a reasonable amount of time after the storm is over, typically within 24 to 48 hours, or risk fines or city cleanup charges.

Local laws typically require that the entire width of the sidewalk, not just a path, be cleared. Property owners may also be responsible for clearing snow from around fire hydrants located on or adjacent to their property, mailboxes, and areas where garbage and recycling carts are placed for pickup.

Dues often cover the cost of snow removal in communities with homeowner associations, and the landlord or property manager is typically responsible for clearing snow from common areas in multifamily buildings. For single-family rentals, the tenant is often responsible for shoveling unless the lease states otherwise.

A YouGov poll a few years ago showed that 1 in 8 U.S. adults wait for the snow to melt. Put another way, about 12 percent of them don’t bother to shovel their snow.

They may have valid reasons. Snow shoveling kills about 100 people a year, according to the National Safety Council, which advised that pushing a heavy snow blower also can cause injury.

While most healthy, physically fit people can shovel even heavy amounts of snow without having a problem, moving hundreds of pounds can put a big strain on the heart, increasing the risk of a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association.

But still, even with a valid reason, snow can pile up and create hazards for neighbors. What do you do? We’re asking for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column.

• Do you say something to the person, or alert local officials?
• What about people who make a shovel-width pass and call it good?
• What about those people who shovel or blow their snow onto your property?
• Would you step in and shovel it yourself?

Please fill out the form below. As always, we will not collect your email address.

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

Catch Up On Block Talk

• Neighborhood Resolutions Include Meeting Up, Fixing Up And Shutting Up
• Is It Rude To Bring Leftover Containers To Holiday Meals?
• What To Do When Your Neighbor’s Weed ‘Smells Like A Skunk’s Behind’
• If You Don’t Return A Shopping Cart, Are You A Total Jerk?
• ‘Poop Cleanup In Aisle 9’: Do Dogs Belong In Stores?
• As Fire Pit Season Heats Up, Here Are Some Dos and Don’ts