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Dane County, WI Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Some Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: Madison MGO 10.28 Sidewalks →

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Key Facts

Madison Deadline: Noon day after snowfall (MGO 10.28)
Other Cities: 24 to 48 hours
Width: 36 inches minimum
Corner Lots: Must clear ramps
City Clears: $50 to $300 assessed

City-specific rules exist: Madison has its own snow & sidewalk clearing rules that differ from Dane County's county-level regulations. If you live in Madison, check the city-specific page instead.

Summary

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.

Full Breakdown

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.

Violations & Fines

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who clears snow on the terrace (strip between sidewalk and street)?

The property owner is responsible for the public sidewalk adjacent to the property under MGO 10.28. The terrace strip itself is typically left to settle; clear snow piled by plows only if it blocks your sidewalk or hydrant access.

What if a renter is supposed to shovel but doesn't?

Wis. Stat. §704 leases can assign snow duty to tenants, but the City of Madison still bills the property owner for non-compliance. Owners should recover costs from tenants per lease terms. Liability for slip-and-fall injuries can fall on both owner and tenant.

How does Dane County compare?

See how Dane County's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.

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Dane County, WI Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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