Shoveling snow: From what time does it have to be cleared?

Created: 12/24/2022, 07:00

Shoveling snow is an obligation that residents and property owners must meet.

When to vacate and what happens if you don't.

Snow has become a rarity in Germany.

Real winter weather in most regions of the country comes only every few years, which is why snow shoveling has become a secondary issue for many people.

But when winter suddenly sets in - even if it's only for a short time - local residents have to be ready to shovel snow.

Those who do not comply with this obligation can even get into serious trouble.

When you have to clear snow, how often and who is liable if someone slips on the white splendor in front of your own house.

Woman pushes snow © Rene Traut/Imago

Who has to shovel snow?

Homeowners can make commitments

In principle, everyone who owns their own property has to push snow.

Homeowners are obliged to clear the way to their front door and mailbox so that, for example, no postman slips, gets injured or has to do unnecessarily heavy work.

Even the sidewalk in front of the house, should your own property border on one, is usually to be cleared by the direct residents.

If a house is rented or access to a house with shared apartments is involved, the landlord can either appoint a caretaker or the tenants themselves to do the job.

However, if the tenants are held responsible, this must be specified in the rental agreement or in house rules that are mentioned in the rental agreement.

A simple notice in the stairwell is not enough.

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When does it have to be cleared?

Shoveling snow is done early in the morning

If you live on a sidewalk, you unfortunately have the misfortune of having to leave the house early in the snow.

According to the law, the sidewalk and the way to the door and mailbox must be safe to walk between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays, i.e. free of snow.

At the weekend it is enough if you push snow at 8 a.m.

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Incidentally, this also means that if the snow keeps falling, you have to clear it again and again - even during your own working hours.

Anyone who is not at home during the day and has no way of clearing things out himself must ensure that someone else does it.

You can hire a caretaker and garden service, for example, or you can ask a family member or the neighbors.

If you can't use all of these options, you'll have to persuade your boss to work from home for a day.

Punishment in an emergency: What happens if someone slips in the snow on my doorstep?

Anyone who does not comply with their obligation to clear the sidewalk and the paths to the house risks considerable penalties in an emergency.

For example, if a pedestrian falls on the sidewalk or the postman falls in the driveway by tripping or slipping on snow-covered ice, then whoever was responsible for shoveling snow is liable.

This can be quite expensive if the person concerned is also injured.

Compensation for pain and suffering, damages, treatment costs or even loss of earnings can sometimes lead to high sums that you then have to pay.

Now some might think that putting up a sign with a warning is enough.

By law, however, this is not enough to release you from your own obligation to clear.

A warning sign that reads "Caution on snow" is a nice tip for postmen and passers-by, but does not release them from the obligation to clear the snow on the sidewalk.

Those who have cleared the snow but still fear insufficient safety can still post such signs as an extra precaution.

What to do on icy roads: Can you grit instead of shoveling snow?

In principle, it is also allowed to remove the snow in front of your own front door with grit.

However, you should definitely inquire beforehand which types of grit are permitted in your own community, since some communities have banned the use of salt to protect the groundwater, for example.

Sand, gravel or shavings are natural spreading materials that do not contaminate the ground and nature.

Incidentally, anyone who grits must also remove the grit again.

After the frost period, when no more ice and snow is to be expected, the local resident must dispose of it again - for example by notifying the city cleaning department in the case of artificial grit - to ensure traffic safety.

If an accident occurs because of the grit, the homeowner or tenant can also be held liable.

Incidentally, homeowners not only have a clearing obligation, but also have to keep an eye on the roof load in the event of large amounts of snow.