Should the sidewalk in front of your home be cleared of snow? 

Verified 07 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Yes, you must snow removal on the sidewalk in front of your home if a mayor's order so provides. If it exists, the bylaw is displayed at the town hall. Otherwise, it is the town hall (the road service) that takes care of it.

So it all depends on what the town hall has planned:

By-law

In the presence of a municipal by-law, residents have the obligation to clear snow in front of their house.

This obligation applies to the following:

  • Occupant (tenant or owner of a single-family home or subdivision)
  • Syndic of condominium acting on behalf of syndicate of co-owners of a condominium building (this service may be included in the duties of the guardian of the condominium or in the maintenance contract of the common parts).

In some municipalities very affected by snow, the mayor may also impose any of the following:

  • Laying snow stops (sometimes called snow bars or anti-fall bars) on the roofs of buildings bordering the public highway
  • Removal of ice formed at the edge of roofs or along downspouts.

Please note

The decree is displayed in the town hall. It is also available on its website. Signs may also be placed near homes to indicate this obligation.

Snow removal includes:

  • Remove snow located in front of your house or building
  • Ensure salting (recommended if the sidewalk is paved) or sandblasting (recommended if the sidewalk is asphalt, pavers, concrete...) in the presence of ice.

This operation is carried out in principle over a width of at least 1 meter and up to the limit of the sidewalk, and without obstructing the manholes to allow the flow of water.

In the event of an accident, if measures provided for in the municipal by-law are not not respected, the victim (bystander, co-owner...) can engage the responsibility of the following persons by entering the court of the place where the building is located :

  • Tenant or owner when the sidewalk borders a detached house or a house in subdivision
  • Condominium trustee when the sidewalk is in front of a condominium building.

In addition, failure to comply with snow removal measures imposed by the mayor may result in a fine of up to €150.

Lack of municipal by-law

It's the town hall (the road service) that takes care of the snow removal of all the public road (including on the sidewalk in front of your home).

In the event of an accident, if snow removal has not been carried out, the victim (by the way, co-owner...) can engage the responsibility of the town hall by entering the court of the place where the accident took place.

However, the responsibility of a local resident (owner inhabiting the dwelling or tenant) may also be committed if its negligence is proven, even without a municipal by-law requiring snow removal. For example, if snow slips off the roof of a house and damages a car in an area that is experiencing heavy snowfall.

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