Madison requires property owners to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after snowfall ends under MGO 10.28. Failure to clear results in City contractor abatement with charges billed to the property.
Madison MGO 10.28 imposes the 24-hour snow clearing rule: property owners and occupants must remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after snowfall ceases. The rule applies to residential, commercial, and vacant properties year-round during winter conditions. Sidewalks must be cleared to bare pavement or treated to prevent ice. Piling snow into the street, alley, or onto neighboring property is prohibited, as is plowing across the street. Complaints are reported to the Streets Division, which inspects and may issue a warning or immediately dispatch a contractor to clear the walk. Abatement costs are charged to the property plus an administrative fee and placed on the tax roll as a special assessment if unpaid. The City does not clear private sidewalks but does maintain crosswalks and bike path segments. ADA-compliant clearing width and corner access are required.
Failure to clear within 24 hours results in contractor clearing with all costs billed to the property, typically starting at $100 plus hourly charges.
Madison, WI
Madison has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. MGO Chapter 27 (Property Maintenance) requires general yard upkeep but does...
Madison, WI
Madison has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) sets residential noise standards that could theoreti...
Madison, WI
Madison has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants under Wis...
Madison, WI
Madison requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Permits route through Madison Buildi...
Madison, WI
Madison has no specific smoker ordinance. MGO Chapter 24 (Noise) and Chapter 7 (Public Health) provide nuisance authority for excessive smoke. Wisconsin DNR ...
Madison, WI
Madison Fire Code under MGO Chapter 34 adopts the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (SPS 361-366) and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314 (Fire Prevention...
See how Madison's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.