Snow removal and gritting

In the municipal area, owners of properties must clear snow from pavements, footpaths, and staircases within 3 m of their entire property between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. In case of snow and black ice, they must also grit them. If there is no pavement (sidewalk), the roadside must be cleared and gritted in the width of 1 m. In a pedestrian zone or residential street without pavements, a 1 m wide strip along the front of the house must be cleared and gritted on the roadway.

Without exception, owners of properties and sales huts must ensure that snow cornices and ice formations are removed from the roofs of their buildings located on the street.

The clearing of snow and the removal of roof avalanches may not cause damage to other road occupants. If necessary, the endangered parts of the road must be cordoned off or suitably marked.

If snow clearance and the removal of roof avalanches is entrusted to, for example, a snow clearance company, the aforementioned obligations apply to this company.

Piles of snow pushed onto the pavement by snow ploughs of the road administration must also be removed. The property owner requires a permit to deposit snow from houses or properties on the street.

Beyond the municipal area, the aforementioned obligation to clear and grit does not apply according to the Road Traffic Act. However, it is important to note the liability of the road owner in the event of intentional or grossly negligent breach of his duty to ensure road safety.

Legal basis

Section 93 of the Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) (Road Traffic Act)