Commercial Snow Removal Across Rhode Island: Town-by-Town Rules
Coastal Corp covers commercial sites across Rhode Island from our base at 35 Tripoli Street in Providence. Each town sets its own rules for property owners after a storm: how soon the sidewalk has to be clear, where plowed snow is allowed to go, and what happens to vehicles left on the street. Here is the rule to know in each town, with the full detail and sources on each town's page.
The rule to know in each town
| Town | The rule to know | Deadline or trigger | Penalty in the code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | Clear a 3-foot sidewalk path, hydrants and catch basins | First 8 hours of daylight after snow stops | $25 to $500 per day |
| Cranston | Businesses must clear a 3-foot path and curb cuts | 24 hours after snow stops | $250 first offense, $500 after |
| Warwick | Clear or sand priority sidewalks; no piling snow on sidewalks | 72 hours after snow or ice stops | Warning, then $100, $175, $250 and up |
| Johnston | No unattended vehicles on town streets in a storm | Once snow passes 2 inches | Towing at owner's cost |
| North Providence | Clear curbed sidewalks | 24 hours after snow stops | Up to $20, plus $1 to $2 per hour after |
| Smithfield | No snow from private property onto the public right-of-way | Any time | General code penalty |
Snow and ice services
Whatever the town asks of you, the work comes down to four services, all on one contract for the whole site.
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Local rules are summarized from each town's published code as of October 2026. Ordinances change. Check the linked source or call the town before relying on this summary. This is not legal advice.