Minneapolis property owners must clear snow and ice from public sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall ending for single-family homes, and 4 daytime hours for commercial and multifamily properties. Full sidewalk width is required, and ice must be treated. The city will inspect and bill for clearance if owners fail.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances Section 445.130 requires every owner of property to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting the property. Residential properties of one or two units have 24 hours from the end of snowfall to comply; properties with three or more units and all commercial parcels have four daytime hours. The cleared path must run the full width of the sidewalk and reach bare pavement where conditions allow; sand, salt, or other abrasive must be applied to remaining ice. Minneapolis Public Works inspects sidewalks after storms (often relying on 311 complaints) and will hire a contractor to clear at the property owner's expense if no action is taken. The contractor charge plus a $40+ administrative fee is added to the property tax bill. Owners are subject to civil slip-and-fall liability under Minnesota common law where they have actual or constructive notice of an unsafe condition and fail to remedy it within a reasonable time.
After inspection, the city posts a notice and arranges contractor clearance. Owners are charged the actual contractor cost (often $100–$300+ per visit) plus a $40 administrative fee, assessed to property taxes if unpaid. Repeat violators may face escalating fees.
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See how Minneapolis's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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