Who has to clear the sidewalk at an empty shore house in Margate or Ventnor?
Updated October 18, 2026 · Fantazzia Co, Margate City, NJ
Short answer
The owner or the tenant. Margate's code says sidewalks must be clear of snow and ice within 12 hours of daylight after it falls. Ventnor's says within 12 hours of daybreak after it builds up, on any property, built on or not. Neither code makes an exception for a house that's empty for the winter.
What Margate's code says
Margate City Code §242-1 puts the job on "the owner or owners, tenant or tenants" of the land next to the sidewalk. §242-2, amended in February 2025, sets the time limit:
"All sidewalks in said City shall be free and clear of all snow and ice within 12 hours of daylight after the same shall be formed or fall thereon."
What Ventnor's code says
"Within 12 hours of daybreak after ice or snow has accumulated on the sidewalk of any property in Ventnor City, whether it be improved or unimproved, the owner, lessee, tenant or occupant thereof shall cause the same to be removed."
If it isn't done in time, §197-16 lets the city clear it and charge the cost to the property as an additional assessment, collected the same way as taxes.
Longport, Ocean City and other towns
Each town writes its own rule. If your house is somewhere else, look up that town's code before the first storm.
If you won't be here when it snows
- Line up a snow service before the first storm, not after.
- Ask whether the contract covers the sidewalk, not just the driveway.
- Ask how soon after a storm they get to your house.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The full text of both codes is linked below.
Sources
Not at the shore when it snows?
Fantazzia Co does snow removal and weekly winter home watch. Call or text Chris to talk about your house.