sidewalk on Rixlew Lane next to WalMart five days after the July 25, 2026 snowstorm
Within Prince William County, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for maintaining roads and shared use paths located within the VDOT right-of-way.
The state agency prioritizes clearing snow from the vehicle lanes for cars and trucks, and makes clear:
VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails, rather, it concentrates on the roads. In some cases, local ordinances mandate property owners, which includes residents and businesses, must clear the snow from sidewalks.
In the 2026 General Assembly, HB1012 would have directed Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to remove snow and ice from sidewalks and crosswalks within “school access corridors” in Northern Virginia. That bill did not get approved.
Prince William County notes:
Neither the County nor VDOT removes snow from sidewalks.
City of Manassas has a snow removal ordinance that requires property owners to clear snow from sidewalks within 24-48 hours after it quits falling.
Ciry of Manassas Park revises sidewalks to be cleared by property owners more quickly. Section 20-12 of the city code says:
The tenant or occupant and, in case there shall be no tenant or occupant, the owner or any person having the care of any building or lot of land abutting on any curbed or paved sidewalk shall, during the first eight (8) hours of daylight following the time when snow or ice ceases to fall or form, cause the same to be removed from such curbed or paved sidewalk.
