Detroit City Code Chapter 43 (Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places), Article XIII - Snow Removal, places responsibility on the abutting property owner or occupant to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks fronting their property. Failure to clear snow and ice from sidewalks is one of the property-maintenance complaints handled by BSEED and is enforceable through Detroit's blight-violation process.
Sidewalk snow and ice removal in Detroit is governed by City Code Chapter 43 (Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places), Article XIII - Snow Removal (current recodification; the previous edition appeared as Chapter 50 Article VIII). The article places the obligation on the owner or occupant of property that abuts a public sidewalk to keep that sidewalk clear of snow and ice. The Detroit Department of Public Works publishes the operational expectations and accepts complaints, and the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) Property Maintenance Division identifies failure to remove snow and ice from sidewalks as one of the categories of property-maintenance complaints it investigates. Enforcement is generally through Detroit's blight-violation process β inspectors or police may issue a Blight Violation Notice for an uncleared sidewalk, with administrative hearings handling adjudication and the city's blight-fine schedule setting the dollar amount. Detroit does not stripe a specific statewide deadline like 'within 24 hours' in the way many Michigan cities do; the obligation is to keep the walk reasonably clear, with enforcement triggered by complaints or inspector observation.
Leaving a public sidewalk uncleared of snow or ice in violation of Chapter 43 Article XIII is a property-maintenance offense and can be cited as a blight violation. Owners receive a Blight Violation Notice with the fine amount set by Detroit's blight-fine schedule, with the maximum blight fine under city law being $10,000 per case. Unpaid blight tickets accrue late penalties and can lead to collection actions and judgment liens against the property.
Detroit, MI
Detroit's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict the number, size, or style of residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Re...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no specific ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays (giant snowmen, pumpkins, Santas). Restrictions, if any, come from priva...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no citywide ordinance restricting the time of year, brightness, or duration of residential holiday lights. Restrictions arise mainly from Local H...
Detroit, MI
A built-in outdoor kitchen in Detroit requires separate trade permits from BSEED for any gas line, electrical, or plumbing work, plus a building permit if it...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no ordinance specifically regulating residential offset smokers or pellet grills. The City's nuisance and air-quality provisions (Detroit Code Ch...
Detroit, MI
Detroit follows the International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted by Michigan. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame and charcoal cooking on combustible balcon...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle snow & sidewalk clearing.
See how Detroit's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.