Prince George's County, Maryland, USA

Prince George’s County Announces Winter 2023/2024 Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Inspection Program

Shoveling Snow, face not shown, person scraping shovel along sidewalk

For immediate release:
December 11, 2023
 

For more information, contact:

LaMont Hinton, Deputy Director
Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
301-636-2020

 

Prince George’s County Announces Winter 2023/2024 Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Inspection Program
 

Largo, MD – The Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) wants to remind residents and businesses that owners, tenants and managers of residential and commercial properties with paved sidewalks adjacent to their properties are responsible for ensuring that sidewalk areas are cleared of snow and ice. Failing to clear snow and ice may result in the levying of fines.

Ensuring that public sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice is an important safety and accessibility consideration for pedestrians. It is especially important for young children, students who walk to school, senior citizens and people with ambulatory disabilities. Prince George’s County Code Section 23-150 mandates that responsible parties remove accumulated snow and ice from abutting sidewalks within 48 hours after snow has fallen or ice has accumulated to a depth of two or more inches. 

Responsible parties who fail to clear the abutting sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of a major snow event will be issued a reminder notice by a DPIE inspector. After another 24-hour period, the DPIE inspector will conduct a second inspection. If the responsible parties have failed to clear their sidewalks within the designated 48 hours following the end of a major snow event, the inspector will issue a citation that carries a fine of $100 per day. Additional citations may be issued for subsequent 24-hour periods until the accumulated snow and ice are cleared. Fines will continue to accumulate with each successive citation.

If the snow and ice are not removed in a timely manner, the County has the authority to hire a contractor to clear it and add the costs to the fines.

Areas of primary focus include sidewalks:

  • Adjacent to commercial establishments and apartment/condominium complexes 
  • Along roadways within 1.5 miles of a school 
  • Along State designated highways
  • Along County primary roadways
  • Abutting major public gathering places, such as churches, assembly halls, etc.
  • Reported through public complaints (PGC311)
     

For more information, visit DPIE's website page on Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Inspection Program.