Who Is Responsible for Clearing Up Snow and Ice In NYC?

Posted in Premises Liability on September 30, 2025

New Yorkers look forward to the pristine beauty of the first snowfall of the season, but hidden beneath the glittering blanket of snow lie hidden hazards like icy patches, slippery slush, and unseen obstacles that can cause slip-and-falls and other injuries. As much as we might enjoy the first snow of the season, by mid-winter, New Yorkers focus more on navigating hidden safety hazards and avoiding injuries.

Sometimes, a sudden fall causes more than a moment’s embarrassment and results in serious physical harm with financial repercussions on the injury victim’s life, but who is responsible for clearing accumulated snow and ice in New York City?

A premises liability lawyer in New York City will fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve — call us today at (212) 564-2800.

Property Owner Responsibility In Snow and Ice Accumulation

New York City property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises for those who lawfully enter their property. This legal duty of care requires them to take reasonable safety measures such as performing routine inspections, providing regular maintenance, and giving prompt attention to repairs. Commercial property owners owe an enhanced duty of care to those they invite onto their property for commercial purposes.

An essential aspect of a property owner’s duty of care is to prevent slip-and-fall injuries by addressing problems such as wet, slippery floors, steps, and walkways. When snow and ice accumulate during winter storms, it poses a significant slip-and-fall risk that puts others in harm’s way. Property owners in New York City have a responsibility to those who enter their property legally, and part of this responsibility is to clear dangerous ice and snow from walkways, steps, and parking areas.

Even private property owners must maintain a reasonably safe property to prevent delivery personnel and others from slipping and falling. In addition to walkways and steps, all property owners in NYC are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the portions of public sidewalks that abut their property.

How Long Do Property Owners Have to Clear Snow and Ice In New York?

Although part of a landlord or business owner’s duty of reasonable care is to clear dangerous snow and ice buildup, no one expects them or their employers to go out into cold and dangerous weather conditions to shovel walkways and apply salt to steps while snow is still falling. Under the state’s snow removal laws, the following timelines apply:

When snow stops falling during business hours (7:00 AM to 4:49 PM), property owners have up to four hours to clear the winter accumulation
When snowfall ceases between 5:00 and 9:00 PM, the property owner has up to 14 hours to remove the accumulated snow and ice
When snow falls overnight between 9:00 PM and 6:59 AM, the snow accumulation must be removed before 11:00 AM.

In other words, snow must be cleared within the allotted time after it stops falling, depending on the time of day or night that a storm occurs.

What Happens When a Property Owner Fails to Clear Snow and Ice In a Timely Manner?

Ice, snow, and slush are among the most common causes of slip and fall injuries, often resulting in head injuries, fractures, sprains, and back or neck injuries. When a property owner fails to address snow and ice accumulation on their property or sidewalks within the appropriate time limit after the snow stops falling, they may face penalties from state authorities. Fines range from $150 for a first offense to up to $350 for subsequent offenses.

In addition to these penalties, failing to clear snow and ice from key areas leaves the property owner liable for an injury victim’s damages if they suffer injuries in a fall. With the help of a slip and fall attorney in New York, an injury victim may seek compensation for their damages, like medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering, through a claim against the property owner’s liability insurance or through a lawsuit in court.