Sidewalks
You need to shovel your sidewalks by noon the day after the snow stops.
If you do not clear the sidewalk by the required time, we may issue you a citation with a fine.
Property owners are responsible for snow removal. If you rent, read your lease to check who handles shoveling.
We can give extensions to seniors and people with disabilities if you need more time to shovel.
What to shovel
You must clear all snow and ice, including:
- Entire width of the sidewalk, edge to edge
- Curb ramps to crosswalks that border your property
- Driveways and private sidewalks
Remember to check driveways and curb ramps after the plows come through. Snowplows must plow to the curb. Unfortunately, this means heavy snow from the plows may block driveways.
You can help your neighborhood by also shoveling:
- Fire hydrants: The Fire Department needs at least three feet around the hydrant. If a hydrant is buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to find it when they first arrive at a fire.
- Storm sewer catch basins: When basins are covered with snow or ice, it can cause street flooding. This can make the street icy if it re-freezes.
Clearing Ice
You are responsible for clearing ice on your sidewalk, just like snow. Ice can be just as dangerous as snow.
If you cannot remove ice on your sidewalk, apply sand to provide traction. The sand may also help with melting the ice. We provide free sand at many locations.
You can apply salt if temperatures are above 15°F. (Winter salt does not work in colder temperatures.) Too much winter salt can hurt our waterways, so we may issue fines for excessive use of salt. For more information, visit our Winter Salt and Sustainability page.
Report a sidewalk
Report an un-shoveled sidewalk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What the ordinance says: Madison General Ordinance (MGO) 10.28
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What do I do If I’m away from home during a snowfall?
If you are not at home or you otherwise cannot clear snow, you must get someone to shovel for you.
Can I shovel snow into the street?
No. Pile snow into your yard and terrace. It is against law to throw snow into the street.
Do I need to shovel the curb ramp to the crosswalk?
Yes. If there is a curb ramp on your property, you must remove snow and ice from the curb ramp, regardless of its source. If you clear the ramp and a plow pushes snow back on the ramp, we will issue you a warning. You will have to clear the curb ramp by the next day to avoid a ticket.
Do I need to shovel my driveway or private sidewalk?
The sidewalk snow removal ordinance only applies to public sidewalks (MGO 10.28). However, MGO 27.05(2)(d) requires you to maintain private walks, driveways, and parking areas.
If snow or ice covers these areas, we may issue an Official Notice. The notice will direct you to clear the area by the due date.
The Postal Service may also refuse to deliver your mail if your sidewalk is a hazard.
When will the City shovel priority crosswalks and wheelchair ramps?
We start with the Isthmus Pedestrian Corridor and the school and disabled crosswalk list. Eight crews work for three consecutive nights to remove snow from crosswalks. Crews continue through the regular workday as well. After the storm, we will continue crosswalks during regular business hours.
Crosswalk snow removal continues until crews check the entire City. This process takes 3-4 weeks to complete.
When will the City shovel bus stops and City-owned sidewalks?
We remove snow from bus stops and City-owned sidewalks as needed. City crews clear City sidewalks and bus stops with concrete pads as part of general plowing. Once the priority routes are complete, we begin snow removal from other Madison bus stops.
