STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A fresh dusting of snow has left its mark on Staten Island and as the heaviest snowfall is expected from Sunday evening into Sunday night, many are wondering when they should get out and shovel.
New York City requires property and business owners to clear snow and ice off sidewalks and other pedestrian walkways to create a 4-foot-wide path for passersby.
Snow and ice must also be cleared from around fire hydrants, catch basins and sidewalk ramps.
According to the Department of Sanitation, which oversees the city’s snow removal, the timing for when you must shovel depends on when the snowfall ends.
If the snow ends between 7 a.m. and 4:59 p.m., then a path must be cleared within four hours.
If the snow stops falling between 5 p.m. and 8:59 p.m., however, then the snow must be cleared within 14 hours.
Should the snow stop falling overnight, any time between 9 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., sidewalks must be cleared by 11 a.m.
Finally, Sanitation warns that if the snow stops by 7 p.m., building owners or occupants need to clear a path in the snow or salt the sidewalk by 9 a.m. the next morning.
If the sidewalks haven’t been cleared by then, Sanitation can issue summonses.
Fines for an initial summons for failing to shovel are from $100 to $150 and for every summons thereafter, between $150 and $350, according to a city information sheet.
Sanitation also stresses that snow should not be pushed, blown or shoveled into the streets.