To better manage expectations around snow removal within the Association, here is consolidated information on relevant Association policy within the context of the January 2026 snow storm.
Background
- Snow and ice present certain safety hazards and inhibit access to amenities. As such, the Association endeavors to remove snow and ice from the clubhouse entrance, the clubhouse parking lot (front half only), the mailbox clusters, and the common area bus stops. Clearing these areas restores at least one method of access to mailboxes, bus stops, and the clubhouse.
- In order to fulfill its fiduciary responsibility and to maintain reasonable Association assessments, the Association does not remove snow from homeowners’ property or from all the common area sidewalks, trails, etc. not listed in #1 above.
- Snow removal is expensive. The 2026 budget for snow removal of just the areas listed in #1 is $18,000, which is quickly exhausted by large snowfalls.
- This has been Association policy since at least 2021, except that bus stops were added more recently.
- All named streets within the Association are owned and maintained by Harford County, which means the County conducts all snow removal on the streets. That is paid for through taxes; not Association assessments.
- CC&Rs Article VI Section 4 requires homeowners to keep their sidewalks neat, clean, and in good repair, and free of ice and snow.
- The Association and property management have a duty to enforce Association rules.
- This rule applies to homeowners’ lots; not the common area.
Removal timelines
- For typical snowfalls:
- Homeowner snow removal should be completed within 3 days after the end of the snowfall.
- Common areas should be cleared within 1 day.
- After the 3-grace period, property management will begin sending reminder emails.
- Written violation notices will be sent one week after the reminder emails.
- Homeowners then have 15 days to cure the violation, before a fine can be levied.
- Homeowner snow removal should be completed within 3 days after the end of the snowfall.
- For the January 2026 large snowfall:
- Due to the quantity of snow and the challenges resulting from freeze-thaw cycles and the County’s snow plows, the grace period was extended to 8 days.
- Written violation notices will be sent starting February 15th; three weeks after the snowfall.
- Homeowners then have 15 days to cure the violation, before a fine can be levied.