Who is responsible for snow and ice removal from city sidewalks?
Generally, the natural and ordinary accumulation of snow and ice on sidewalks creates no municipal liability for injuries, unless the municipality was somehow negligent by disregarding its obligation to exercise ordinary care to keep its sidewalks in fit condition for usual travel. So normally a city should not be liable for an accident due to a slip on the ice on a sidewalk. Some cities have ordinances that specify it is the duty of the abutting property owner to clear the sidewalk of snow and ice. However, this is not statutorily required and probably does not increase or decrease potential city liability. For sample ordinances, see our compilation on snow and ice removal.