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Clearing sidewalk of snow likely a legal responsibility across region

WASHINGTON — In Montgomery County, residents have 24 hours after the snow falls to clear the sidewalk in front of their homes. And no skimping.

The cleared pathway  “must be wide enough for safe pedestrian and wheelchair use,” according to the Montgomery County government’s website.

Last month, county officials including County Executive Ike Leggett as well as council members Nancy Floreen, Hans Riemer and Sid Katz appealed to residents’ better natures and  attended a news conference to urge residents to clear their sidewalks as a neighborly act.

Did someone bail on their shoveling responsibilities?

Call 311 to report the unshoveled sidewalk, or click here.

A full list of Montgomery County shoveling regulations can be found here.

In Prince George’s County, homeowners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow, and if there’s re-icing homeowners are required to clear that as well.

The full ordinance can be read here.

In Fairfax County residents are encouraged, not required to clear sidewalks of snow.

In the District of Columbia, homeowners have a narrower window to get that sidewalk cleared: they must get that walkway passable within 8 daylight hours after the snow stops falling.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.

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