Michigan's natural accumulation doctrine generally protects property owners from slip-and-fall liability for snow on adjacent sidewalks, while leaving local snow-clearing ordinances enforceable as municipal civil infractions.
Michigan common law follows the natural accumulation doctrine, recognized in cases like Buhalis v Trinity Continuing Care, holding that property owners typically owe no duty to remove naturally accumulated snow and ice from public sidewalks. However, MCL 691.1402a (governmental immunity) requires municipalities to maintain sidewalks in reasonable repair, with a limited two-inch sidewalk-defect rule. Cities may adopt local snow-removal ordinances under home rule authority, requiring property owners to clear adjacent sidewalks within a set time after snowfall. Violations are typically municipal civil infractions, not personal injury liability.
Municipal civil infractions ranging $50-$500 per violation; cities may charge contractor clearing costs to property tax bills.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lansing, MI
Lansing permits construction during standard daytime hours. Construction is generally allowed from 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday construction ...
Lansing, MI
Lansing addresses barking dogs under Chapter 654 (Noise) and Chapter 610 (Animals). Owning or harboring any animal that frequently makes sounds creating a no...
Lansing, MI
Lansing prohibits unreasonably loud or disturbing noise under Chapter 662 of the Code of Ordinances. Quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM in residential ...
Lansing, MI
Lansing restricts the storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers in residential areas. Street parking of these vehicles is limited and storage mus...
Lansing, MI
Lansing restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy trucks and semi-trailers may not be stored in residential zones.
Lansing, MI
Lansing regulates on-street parking through Chapter 1042 and the Parking Services Division. No vehicle may park in one location on a public street for more t...
See how Lansing's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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