Shoveling Snow – Who is Responsible?

Key takeaways:

• Your lease is the first place to look for snow-removal responsibilities, especially in single-family rentals.
• Landlords or property managers typically handle snow in common areas, while renters may be responsible for private walkways, private patios, and (if renting a house), sidewalks and driveways.
• State law and local ordinances can override or add to lease terms, so it’s smart to check both.
• If snow and ice create a safety hazard, document it and report it in writing to your landlord or property manager.

In a Nutshell:

In most rentals, snow removal responsibility comes down to who controls the area that needs to be cleared.

• Landlords are often responsible for common areas they control, like shared sidewalks, entryways, stairs, parking lots, and communal paths.
• Renters may be responsible for areas they exclusively control, like a private driveway or front walk at a single-family rental, especially if the lease assigns that duty.

That said, the details can change fast once you factor in your lease language, state habitability rules, and local snow ordinances.

Check Your Lease

Your lease is the best starting point because it may spell out who handles “seasonal maintenance,” including snow and ice removal. Look for sections labeled:

• Maintenance
• Groundskeeping / yard care
• Common areas
• Tenant duties

In a single-family rental, it’s more common to see snow removal listed alongside mowing, leaf cleanup, and similar tasks. In many apartment communities, the lease may be silent on snow removal, or it may cover it broadly under “common area maintenance.”

If the lease is unclear, don’t guess. Ask the landlord or property manager to verify in writing what they expect, including:

• Which areas you’re responsible for (front steps, driveway, sidewalk, etc.)
• Whether supplies are provided (salt, shovel)
• Timing expectations (for example, “within X hours of snowfall”)

Use the “Control” Rule: Private Areas vs. Common Areas

When you’re trying to answer, “who is responsible for snow removal,” it helps to map the property into two buckets:

Common areas (usually the landlord’s responsibility)

• Shared sidewalks and walkways
• Building entrances and vestibules
• Shared stairs and ramps
• Parking lots and shared drive lanes
• Common patios, courtyards, and mail areas

Private-use areas (may be your responsibility, especially in houses)

• A private driveway
• A private front walk or steps used only by your household
• A private porch, stoop, or side entry used only by you

Liability and safety expectations often track with who retains control of the area. If the landlord controls it (common areas), the landlord typically has a stronger duty to keep it reasonably safe. If you control it (private-use areas), the lease may push more responsibility onto you.

If you’re not sure what’s “common,” look at what you share with neighbors. If everyone uses it to access their homes, it’s likely common.

Look Up Your State’s Landlord-Tenant Rules for Safety and Habitability

Even when your lease assigns snow removal to a renter, many states still require landlords to provide a safe, livable home and maintain certain parts of the property. Those rules may not mention snow specifically, but they can shape what a landlord must do, especially for common areas and building access.

A practical approach:

• Search your state’s official landlord-tenant resources (often hosted by a state consumer protection office, housing agency, or attorney general).
• Look for terms like “maintenance,” “common areas,” “safe condition,” or “duty of care.”
• If you live in an apartment community and snow blocks entries, stairs, ramps, or shared paths, treat that as a safety issue, not just a convenience issue.

Don’t Skip Local Ordinances: Sidewalks Could Trip You Up

Local snow ordinances can be stricter and more specific than a lease. Many cities require that snow and ice be cleared from sidewalks within a set number of hours after snowfall ends. Some ordinances place that duty on:

• The property owner
• The occupant
• Or the owner and/or occupant (meaning it can depend on the situation)

This is where renters (especially house renters) can get surprised. You might assume the sidewalk is the landlord’s issue, but your city may expect the occupant to clear it, or your lease may shift that duty to you.

How to find your local snow removal ordinance

Use this checklist:

1. Go to your city or county website and look for “Municipal Code,” “City Code,” or “Ordinances.”
2. Search within the code for: snow, ice, sidewalk, obstruction, right-of-way, or abutting.
3. Check for the time limit (for example, 12, 24, or 48 hours) and whether there are rules about de-icing or leaving a passable path.
4. If the site is hard to search, call your city’s information line (often 311) and ask what the current rule is for sidewalk snow removal.

What to Do If Snow Isn't Being Cleared

If you believe your landlord is responsible (or you’re unsure), focus on safety and documentation.

What to do

• Notify your landlord or property manager in writing (email or resident portal message is fine).
• Include photos, the date/time, and the specific location (“front steps,” “east stairwell,” “ramp by the mailbox”).
• Ask for a timeline for clearing and de-icing.
• If it’s urgent (blocked exit, slippery stairs, inaccessible ramp), say so plainly.

What not to do

• Don’t withhold rent without understanding your state’s rules.
• Don’t hire someone yourself and subtract the cost from rent unless your lease and local laws clearly allow it.

Glossary of Terms to Know

Find a winter-ready rental and stay organized with Apartments.com

If you’re moving during winter or searching in a snowy climate, prioritize listings that make it easy to evaluate property access and maintenance expectations. On Apartments.com, you can:

• Save and compare rentals as you narrow down options using Renter Tools on Apartments.com
• Apply to eligible listings online with a reusable application, which can help you move faster when weather windows are tight
• Build a winter move plan with Tips for Moving Into a New Apartment in the Winter

And if you’re already renting and want to prevent winter headaches, use The Apartment Renter’s Guide to Winterizing Your Space to get ahead of cold-weather issues before the next storm.

This article was originally published on January 31, 2023, and has been updated.