The mission of the Howard County Master Gardeners is to educate residents about safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities.
Master Gardener programs and services are available free of charge to all Howard County residents and community groups.
Your Pets and Our Neighborhood
Dogs should always be on a leash! This is Howard County Law. PLEASE help us keep our neighborhood clean by picking up after your dogs when you walk around the neighborhood.
Who can be held responsible for sidewalk accidents?
Home owners are responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalks in front of, to the side, or in back of their property, and it must be done within 48 hours of a snow fall. They are also responsible for keeping it clear of leaves, downed branches, dirt/mud, ice, ponding water, etc. These are hazards that could lead to slip and fall injuries.
In most cases, people may think that their city or municipality is responsible for keeping the sidewalks maintained. However, this responsibility typically falls on the property owner. For example, if you slip and fall on the sidewalk in front of another person’s home, the homeowner may be held liable. The same can be said for stores, restaurants, municipal buildings, etc. With that being said, it is not always apparent who is responsible for a sidewalk accident, which is why it is crucial that you reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Additionally, if a weather event occurs, property owners have 48 hours from a snow fall to clear the snow and ice from their property for the safety of walkers. If an accident occurs after this allocated time frame, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries.