Ohio common law gives abutting property owners no general duty to remove natural snow accumulation, though municipalities may impose statutory sidewalk-clearing duties locally.
Under longstanding Ohio Supreme Court precedent (Lopatkovich v. Tiffin and Brinkman v. Ross), property owners owe no common-law duty to remove natural accumulations of snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting their property. ORC 723.01 places primary responsibility for keeping public ways open and in repair on municipalities themselves. However, ORC 723.011 allows municipalities to enact ordinances requiring abutting owners to clear snow and to assess costs against the property if they fail. Liability for slip-and-fall is generally barred by the open-and-obvious doctrine when ice is naturally accumulated, unless an unnatural accumulation occurs.
Violating a local snow-clearing ordinance enacted under ORC 723.011 typically results in city assessments billed to the property owner; civil tort liability is limited by open-and-obvious doctrine.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Akron, OH
Akron permits construction noise from 7 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. Sunday construction is generally restricted in residential area...
Akron, OH
Akron considers persistent barking a public nuisance under Chapter 132 (Offenses Against Public Peace). Dog owners are responsible for preventing excessive b...
Akron, OH
Akron enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under Chapter 135 of the city code. Decibel limits vary by zoning district, with stricter standards near reside...
Akron, OH
Akron restricts storage of RVs, boats, and trailers in residential zones. Front yard storage is generally prohibited. Side and rear yard storage may be allow...
Akron, OH
Akron regulates on-street parking through posted signs and citywide rules. Vehicles must be currently registered and operable. Most residential streets allow...
Akron, OH
Akron requires vehicles to park on approved hard surfaces. Parking on unpaved areas or lawns is prohibited. Driveways must be properly constructed and mainta...
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