Hatboro Fire Marshal

02/23/2026

❄️ Borough of Hatboro Fire Marshals Office– Snow & Ice Removal Reminder ❄️

As of 11am on Monday February 23, snowfall officially stopped.

As Fire Marshal for the Borough of Hatboro, I want to remind residents and property owners that snow and ice removal is not only required by ordinance—it is critical for public safety and emergency response.

Sidewalks, Ramps & Fire Hydrants
• Snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks, handicap ramps, curb cuts, and fire hydrants adjacent to your property.
• A minimum 36-inch-wide clear path must be maintained.
• Removal must be completed within 24 hours after precipitation ends.

Blocked or icy walkways delay emergency responders and create serious fall hazards for pedestrians.

Ice Conditions
• If ice cannot be safely removed without damaging the sidewalk, an abrasive such as sand must be applied within the required timeframe.
• Full removal is required as soon as weather conditions allow.

Roof Snow & Ice Hazards
• Snow and ice that may fall from roofs onto sidewalks, roadways, or public areas must be removed within 12 hours after snowfall ends.
• Falling snow or ice poses a significant risk of injury to pedestrians and emergency personnel.

Fire Hydrant Access
• Snow may not be piled on or around fire hydrants.
• Fire hydrants must remain fully visible and accessible at all times.

Seconds matter during a fire emergency—blocked hydrants cost lives.

Snow Placement
• Snow may not be placed on sidewalks, roadways, or public transportation loading areas.

Enforcement
• Violations may result in fines of up to $1,000 per day, plus costs.
• Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense
Winter safety is a shared responsibility. Your cooperation helps protect residents, visitors, and the first responders who serve this community.

Stay safe, and thank you for helping keep Hatboro accessible and emergency-ready.

For the full ordinance, please visit the Borough of Hatboro Code of Ordinances.

https://ecode360.com/31744270?highlight=removal&highlight=snow&searchId=9826034416960288 #31744270

02/21/2026

01/31/2026

We've received a lot of questions and comments over the last few days regarding the snow ordinance and why certain things are required.

In this post from Cheltenham Township, you can see that an EMS stretcher cannot fit in a shovel width path. They need more space to get the stretcher and equipment to you in the event of an emergency.

In this other post from Fair Haven Fire/Rescue, you can see what a fire hydrant looks like hooked up in the snow. It is essential that space be cleared around the fire hydrant to allow for hook up and use of the hose, which supplies the water to the fire trucks.

We know this wasn't an easy storm. Ice complicated things. But we as neighbors, residents, businesses, need to ensure that we keep it safe for everyone.

01/28/2026

❄️ Ice Isn’t a Playground ❄️

As winter temperatures fluctuate, ponds, creeks, retention basins, and lakes can look frozen—but looks can be dangerously deceiving.

🚨 A few important reminders for parents and caregivers:

Ice thickness is never consistent. Warmer days, running water, and underground currents weaken ice fast.
Just because someone else walked on it doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Falling through ice can lead to cold shock, hypothermia, and drowning in minutes.
Rescues on ice are extremely dangerous—for victims and rescuers.

👨‍👩‍👧 What you can do:

Talk with kids about why ice is not safe to play on—no skating, sliding, or “just checking it.”
Keep children away from frozen bodies of water, even when supervised.
If you see kids or pets on the ice, call 911 immediately—don’t try to rescue them yourself.

💙 We know winter fun is tempting, but the safest choice is simple: stay off the ice.
Help us keep this season accident-free by spreading the word.

01/28/2026

❄️ Fire Marshal Reminder – Snow & Ice Removal ❄️

The Borough of Hatboro is now more than 48 hours past the end of the recent snowfall, and we appreciate the many residents and businesses who have already cleared their properties.

This is a reminder that all property owners, tenants, and occupants are required to comply with the Borough’s Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance to help keep our community safe and accessible.

Please ensure that:
•Sidewalks, handicap ramps, curb cuts, and fire hydrants adjacent to your property are clear of snow and ice
• A minimum 36-inch-wide path is maintained
• Snow is not piled on sidewalks, roadways, or around fire hydrants
• Roof snow or ice that could fall into public areas has been removed

Properties that remain out of compliance at this time may be subject to citation.

Thank you for helping keep walkways safe for pedestrians, neighbors, and emergency responders during winter weather.

01/26/2026

❄️ Borough of Hatboro Fire Marshals Office– Snow & Ice Removal Reminder ❄️

As Fire Marshal for the Borough of Hatboro, I want to remind residents and property owners that snow and ice removal is not only required by ordinance—it is critical for public safety and emergency response.

Sidewalks, Ramps & Fire Hydrants
• Snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks, handicap ramps, curb cuts, and fire hydrants adjacent to your property.
• A minimum 36-inch-wide clear path must be maintained.
• Removal must be completed within 24 hours after precipitation ends.

Blocked or icy walkways delay emergency responders and create serious fall hazards for pedestrians.

Ice Conditions
• If ice cannot be safely removed without damaging the sidewalk, an abrasive such as sand must be applied within the required timeframe.
• Full removal is required as soon as weather conditions allow.

Roof Snow & Ice Hazards
• Snow and ice that may fall from roofs onto sidewalks, roadways, or public areas must be removed within 12 hours after snowfall ends.
• Falling snow or ice poses a significant risk of injury to pedestrians and emergency personnel.

Fire Hydrant Access
• Snow may not be piled on or around fire hydrants.
• Fire hydrants must remain fully visible and accessible at all times.

Seconds matter during a fire emergency—blocked hydrants cost lives.

Snow Placement
• Snow may not be placed on sidewalks, roadways, or public transportation loading areas.

Enforcement
• Violations may result in fines of up to $1,000 per day, plus costs.
• Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense
Winter safety is a shared responsibility. Your cooperation helps protect residents, visitors, and the first responders who serve this community.

Stay safe, and thank you for helping keep Hatboro accessible and emergency-ready.

For the full ordinance, please visit the Borough of Hatboro Code of Ordinances.

https://ecode360.com/31744270?highlight=removal&highlight=snow&searchId=9826034416960288 #31744270

01/26/2026

PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE RECEIVED AN INFLUX ON COMPLAINTS OF RESIDENTS AND CONTRACTORS PUSHING SNOW INTO THE STREETS.

This is a violation of the ordinance. Please do not throw snow back into the streets. We understand that there are not a lot of places to put the snow and it may happen a little bit, but plowing entire rows of snow into the street, or snow blowing an entire sidewalk worth of snow into the street is not only a violation but dangerous.

❄️ Snowfall Reminder for Hatboro Residents & Business Owners ❄️

The snow has officially stopped falling as of 10pm Sunday evening. Please remember that the Borough of Hatboro Code of Ordinances requires:

✅ Sidewalks, fire hydrants, handicap ramps, and curb cuts to be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours of the end of snowfall.

🚫 Snow may not be dumped or pushed into roadways, onto sidewalks, or piled around fire hydrants.

These measures help keep our community safe and accessible for pedestrians, emergency responders, and public works crews.

📞 Questions or issues? Please contact Borough Hall at 215-443-9100. Or email the Fire Marshal directly at [email protected]

Any property not in compliance will be cited.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Hatboro safe!

01/25/2026

WINTER STORM FERN UPDATE 1/24/26

Significant event details and developments:

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Montgomery County and surrounding region from 7 PM Saturday evening through 1 PM Monday afternoon.

Hazards: Snow is expected to begin falling in Montgomery County between 3 AM and 6 AM. Snowfall amounts are expected to be 8 to 12 inches across the county. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are likely during the day on Sunday. Snow is expected to mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain, and there remains a threat for notable ice accumulations ranging from 0.1 to 0.25 across Montgomery County.

Impacts: Heavy snow and ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible. Expect widespread road closures and delays. Some power outages and tree damage is possible with ice accumulations over 0.1 inches. Continued cold temperatures could result in hypothermia and frostbite for those outside for long periods and may impact infrastructure due to increased heating demand.

Location: Southeastern PA to include Montgomery County, as well as other parts of the state and neighboring states.

Timing: Snow is expected Saturday night through early Monday afternoon. A wintry mix or change of snow to sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening. Dangerous cold temperatures will continue throughout the weekend and through next week.

01/23/2026

Are you prepared for the upcoming storm?

01/23/2026

WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE

Significant event details and developments:

Sleet and freezing rain chances have increased for the I-95 corridor, which would lessen snow accumulation across most of the county. A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect for Montgomery County and the surrounding region from 10 PM Friday evening until 10 AM Saturday morning. A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for Montgomery County and surrounding region from 7 PM Saturday evening through 1 PM Monday afternoon.

Hazards: Significant snowfall accumulations are still expected but may be closer to 12 inches for most of the county due to mixing of snow and sleet or freezing rain nearer to the I-95 corridor. A dangerous stretch of cold is expected with wind chills in the single digits or below zero.

Impacts: Heavy snow and ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible. Expect widespread road closures and delays. Some power outages and tree damage is possible with ice accumulations over 0.1 inches. Dangerous cold could result in hypothermia and frostbite for those outside for long periods and may impact infrastructure due to increased heating demand.

Location: Southeastern PA to include Montgomery County, as well as other parts of the state and neighboring states.

Timing: Dangerous cold temperatures are expected beginning Friday night and will continue throughout next week. Snow is expected Saturday night through early Monday afternoon. The mix of snow and sleet and freezing rain is likely during the day on Sunday.

01/22/2026

WEATHER UPDATE

Significant event details and developments:
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Montgomery County and the surrounding region from 7 PM Saturday evening through 1 PM Monday afternoon.

Hazards: Significant snowfall accumulations are expected. There is high confidence that Montgomery County will have 12 inches or more of snow. Sleet or freezing rain is less likely, but possible depending on the track of the storm. A dangerous stretch of cold is also expected with wind chills in the single digits or below zero.

Impacts: Heavy snowfall accumulations will cause travel disruptions and could result in closures and infrastructure impacts. Measurable ice could result in power outages and tree damage. Dangerous cold could result in hypothermia for those outside for long periods.

Location: Southeastern PA to include Montgomery County, as well as other parts of the state and neighboring states.

Timing: Dangerous cold temperatures are expected beginning Friday night and will continue into next week. Snow is expected Saturday night through early Monday afternoon. A change of snow to sleet and freezing rain is possible during the day on Sunday depending on changes to the track of the storm.

01/19/2026

❄️ Snowfall Reminder for Hatboro Residents & Business Owners ❄️

The second round of snow has officially stopped falling as of 8pm Sunday evening. Please remember that the Borough of Hatboro Code of Ordinances requires:

✅ Sidewalks, fire hydrants, handicap ramps, and curb cuts to be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours of the end of snowfall.

🚫 Snow may not be dumped or pushed into roadways, onto sidewalks, or piled around fire hydrants.

These measures help keep our community safe and accessible for pedestrians, emergency responders, and public works crews.

📞 Questions or issues? Please contact Borough Hall at 215-443-9100. Or email the Fire Marshal directly at [email protected]

Any property not in compliance will be cited.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Hatboro safe!