NYC Issues 3,000+ Sidewalk Tickets After Snowstorm - But Government Walkways Go Unfined

By Y.M. Lowy

After last weekend’s snowstorm, thousands of New York City property owners cleared their sidewalks to avoid fines. More than 3,000 tickets were issued, with penalties starting at $100.

At the same time, some sidewalks next to city and state owned property remained unshoveled. The city does not issue fines to itself or to state agencies, even when those sidewalks stay icy during busy commuting hours.

Along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, a long stretch of sidewalk beside a Long Island Rail Road train yard was still covered in snow and ice Monday morning. Pedestrians were forced to walk carefully through the area during the rush.

Similar conditions were seen near city-owned parks, including Dean Playground in Prospect Heights. Neighbors raised safety concerns, and Parks Department crews later cleared the sidewalk after being notified.

City rules require private property owners to shovel within hours after snowfall ends, depending on the time of day. Those rules are enforced on residents and businesses, but not in the same way on government-owned property.

It’s funny how the rules are enforced block by block — unless the sidewalk belongs to the city. In those cases, the only way to get action is to report it. The Department of Sanitation says it cannot fine other government agencies and only clears large sidewalk areas after complaints are made. Residents can report unshoveled sidewalks by calling 311 or using the 311 app.