Minneapolis, MN Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential deadline
- 24 hours after snowfall ends
- Non-residential deadline
- 4 daytime hours (8am-5pm)
- Penalty
- Petty misdemeanor, hourly separate violations
- City cleanup cost
- Billed to owner, assessable as lien
Summary
Minneapolis requires homeowners to clear sidewalk snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall ending; commercial and rental property owners get just four daytime hours, and sand is required wherever ice can't be removed.
The owners, occupants or persons having the care, custody and control of any building that is a one- or two-family dwelling shall cause the snow and/or ice to be removed from the public sidewalk abutting or adjoining the lot upon which such building is situated, within the first twenty-four (24) hours after the ceasing to fall of any snow, and shall cause sand to be sprinkled on the sidewalk where there is snow or ice upon the sidewalk that cannot be removed. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 580.020; Ord. of 9-12-74, § 3; Ord. of 12-12-75, § 2; 80-Or-184, § 1, 8-8-80; 80-Or-283, § 1, 11-26-80)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 445.20 splits the deadline by property type: one- and two-family dwellings have 24 hours after snow stops falling to clear the public sidewalk and sand any ice that won't come up, while owners of other buildings and lots must act within four daytime hours, defined as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. under § 445.30(b). Miss the deadline and the city engineer can send a crew to remove the snow itself under § 445.35, then bill the owner and assess unpaid charges as a special assessment on the property.
Violations & Fines
Petty misdemeanor under § 445.30(a); every hour the snow remains past the deadline counts as a separate violation. Unpaid city snow-removal bills convert into a special assessment against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to shovel snow in Minneapolis?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
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