During the winter season, pedestrians and drivers should expect minimal disruption. When it snows, traffic lanes and parking spaces must remain usable When, where and how should you remove snow? Who takes care of this task?
In principle, the winter road maintenance service is the responsibility of the canton or municipality. Snow removal from private roads is the responsibility of their owners. However, the municipalities also assume the winter service of private roads against payment.
On the other hand, snow removal in front of access roads to homes and garage exits is the business of landowners or tenants. The owner cannot call on the staff of the municipal snow removal services to carry out this work.
Do Not Dump Snow On Third Party Property
However, it should be noted that snow cleared from private property should not be deposited on public land or neighboring plots, unless the neighbor has given his consent. In addition, snow should not be dumped on sidewalks or the road, but it is, of course, possible to pile snow on the edge of the road.
When real estate objects are rented, it is in principle, the lessor who is responsible for clearing snow and ice. He is required, by the code of obligations, to maintain the rented item in a condition suitable for use. Environmental maintenance and earth development are also part of this.
On private property, the property owner is responsible for snow removal. He is required, as the owner of the work, to allow safe access to one’s property.
However, snow removal from rented parking spaces is the tenant’s responsibility; this is part of the minor maintenance work. In larger properties, a janitor usually takes care of the winter service.
When Should You Clear Snow?
The scale of the task depends on the local situation. In the event of heavy snowfall, it cannot be expected that all the snow will be completely cleared. It is essential to clear the snow from the paths and sidewalks in such a way that there is enough room for two passers-by without a pram. Warning signs and other measures such as roadblocks may be sufficient.
Generally, the snow removal obligation only applies to times of great fluctuation, that is to say between 7am and 9pm. In addition, we are entitled to expect pedestrians to adapt to weather conditions and behave cautiously in winter conditions.
