Eden Prairie, MN Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Section 6.21, adopted by Ordinance 24-2007 and amended by Ordinance 15-2013, defines Sidewalk as the five-foot-wide concrete strip along a street right-of-way and Trail as the eight- or ten-foot asphalt path used by pedestrians and bicyclists. Subdivision 3.A requires the owner or occupant of a one- or two-family dwelling to remove snow and ice from the abutting public Sidewalk or Trail within the first 24 hours after precipitation stops. Subdivision 3.B extends that duty to owners or occupants of any other building or lot, commercial, industrial, or vacant, but only within the first eight daytime hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) after precipitation ends.

The full five-foot width of a Sidewalk must be cleared, and at least five feet of an eight-foot Trail. Trails located behind or between homes are excluded from this owner duty. The City posts a 'Sidewalk and Trail Plowing Designation' map at the City Engineer's office identifying stretches the City itself plows; owners must check that map, since the City gives no separate notice when it revises it. If snow or ice remains beyond the allowed window, Subdivision 4 declares it a public nuisance. Before the Department of Public Works removes it, Subdivision 5 requires written notice to the owner or occupant, followed by a City inspection no earlier than 24 hours later.

If the violation persists, the Department or a private contractor removes the snow and ice and keeps a record of costs, which are charged to the abutting owner under Subdivision 7. Bills unpaid after 30 days may be certified as a special assessment against the property under Minnesota Statutes Section 429.101.