Madison MGO 10.28 requires sidewalk snow/ice clearance by noon the day after snowfall ends. Sun Prairie Ch. 7 requires 24 hours. Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, Monona impose 24 to 48 hour deadlines. Dane County snowbelt averages 50 inches annually. City will clear and bill for non-compliance.
Snow removal obligations are a major compliance item in Dane County's snowbelt climate (average 50 inches annual snowfall). Madison General Ordinances 10.28 requires property owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from adjacent public sidewalks by noon of the day following the end of each snowfall, with a minimum clearance width of 36 inches and all corner ramps cleared on corner lots. Sun Prairie Municipal Code Ch. 7 requires clearance within 24 hours. Fitchburg Ch. 18 requires 24 hours. Middleton Ch. 7 requires 24 hours. Verona Ch. 7 gives 24 hours after snowfall ends. Stoughton allows 24 hours. Monona requires clearance by 9 AM the day following snowfall. Ice that cannot be removed must be treated with sand, salt, or de-icer. For chronic non-compliance, Madison and other cities contract clearance and assess costs (typically $50 to $300 per occurrence) to the property tax bill. Elderly and disabled residents can apply for Snow Angel volunteer programs through Madison's Department of Civil Rights.
Madison MGO 10.28 first violation: warning then $114 forfeiture plus clearance billing. Repeat violations: $175 to $313 plus costs. Sun Prairie/Fitchburg: $50 to $250 plus city clearance fee. Corner ramp non-clearance: additional fine.
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See how Dane County's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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