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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