Milwaukee owners and occupants must clear sidewalks of snow and ice by noon the day after snowfall ends. A path at least 36 inches wide must be cleared the full length of the sidewalk. If ice cannot be removed, sand, ash, or salt must be applied. The DPW will clear and bill noncompliant owners.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 116 requires the owner or occupant of every property abutting a public sidewalk to remove all snow and ice by 12:00 noon of the day following a snowfall. A passable path at least 36 inches wide must be cleared the full length of the sidewalk. Where ice has formed and cannot be reasonably removed, the surface must be sprinkled with sand, ashes, salt, or another suitable abrasive. The Department of Public Works (DPW) administers enforcement and may, after inspection and posted notice, send a contractor to clear the sidewalk; the contractor cost plus an inspection fee is then assessed against the property and may be added to the tax roll if unpaid. Civil slip-and-fall liability under Wisconsin's "safe-place" statute and common law may attach where an owner had reasonable opportunity to remedy a known hazard. Milwaukee participates in a winter assistance program that connects qualifying elderly and disabled residents with volunteer shovelers.
Citations begin at $25 plus court costs for residential properties and may rise to $100+ for commercial. Contractor clear-and-bill charges typically range $50–$200 per visit plus a $35 inspection fee. Unpaid amounts are added to the property tax bill.
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