Who Is Responsible for Clearing Snow from Sidewalks?
Removing snow from sidewalks can be labour-intensive and time-consuming, especially for business owners and residents who lack industry-grade equipment. After a major snow event, like a blizzard or a regional snowstorm, snow clearing can feel overwhelming for those with no experience.
Many are under the mistaken impression that because the city government clears snow off the streets, it is also responsible for removing snow from private property. Many areas in Ontario experience more than 60 inches of snowfall every winter season, making snow removal a challenging but necessary task for every property owner.
Clear Cut Group offers business owners and residents a safe and efficient way to remove slippery ice from sidewalks as the winter months herald more snow from January to February. Contact their technicians for residential snow removal tips today.
Who Is Responsible for Clearing Snow from Sidewalks for a Property Owner?
People who own industrial, residential, or commercial properties are responsible for clearing the snow off their land. If someone sustains an injury from their negligence, such as a guest, passerby, or family, the owner is legally responsible for the repercussions. Research from the Traffic Accident Information System indicates that over 1,400 outdoor accidents in Canada cited snow and winter weather as a significant cause, with snow drift responsible for over 500 accidents.
Many property owners living in subdivisions and private streets create snow removal plans with their homeowner associations before winter. They usually perform light research and listen to weather forecasts to predict the level of snowfall expected every season. For residents who plan to clear sidewalks without professional help, it is essential to buy handheld ice scrapers, salt spreaders, and snow rakes before the winter season begins.
What Happens When Property Owners Do Not Clear Snow from Their Sidewalks?
Failure to remove snow from private sidewalks can result in hefty fines. According to the Toronto city government, property owners must remove snow and ice from public-facing spaces, such as parking spots, driveways, ramps, steps, and landings, within 24 hours after the last snowfall to prevent injury and property damage. Non-compliance can lead to a fine of $500 plus a surcharge of $115, totalling $615 if someone calls 311 to report a tenant or property owner.
When Does the Government Take Responsibility for Clearing Snow?
After snowstorms or heavy snowfall, city governments will deploy workers to clear sidewalks if snow exceeds two centimetres in depth. However, this process can take a while. Public snow clearing takes around 13 hours to finish and may keep going for up to 72 hours.
Workers might clear sidewalks more than once, depending on the snow event's severity and if they encounter narrow spaces and sidewalk obstructions.
Who Is Responsible for Clearing Snow from Sidewalks for Renters?
Whenever renters ask, “Who is responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks?”, technicians always advise them to check their rental agreements. Manual snow-clearing might be a shared responsibility between landlord or tenant, or a landlord might include professional snow-clearing fees in the rent. The latter arrangement allows the landlord to create a schedule with a local sanitation service and prevent issues with the local government.
Here is a sample of how the three most common rental arrangements in Ontario typically work:
- Lessors and tenants of a single-family structure with no housemates are liable for snow-clearing. Many try to get a discount from property management companies and landlords for taking care of that job out of pocket.
- A property management company or HOA will likely hire a sanitation service to take care of snow-clearing for tenants and owners of units in a condominium, tenement, or apartment complex. Renters and residents might share the costs through association dues. However, they may still be responsible for clearing their driveways, commercial frontage, and walkways.
- For people who live in a rehabilitation facility or retirement community, their building administration is responsible for snow-clearing.
For those needing more information about who is responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks, call the licensed technicians at Clear Cut Group. Dial (905) 824-6597 and get a free consultation to avoid snow clearing mistakes that could lead to injuries and fines.
