When Must a Property Owner Remove Snow in Connecticut?
Slipped on snow or ice in Connecticut? Learn when property owners are required to remove snow, who may be liable, and your legal rights.
- January 5, 2023
- By McCoy & McCoy
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2023 and was updated in July 2026 to reflect current Connecticut law, recent legal guidance, and expanded information about snow removal responsibilities and premises liability claims.
Winter storms are a fact of life in Connecticut, and snow- and ice-covered walkways can quickly become hazardous. Every year, people suffer broken bones, head injuries, and other serious harm after slipping on untreated sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, and entryways.
A common question after one of these accidents is: When is a property owner actually required to remove snow? The answer isn’t as straightforward as many people think. Connecticut law generally gives property owners a reasonable opportunity to clear snow and ice after a storm ends, but there are important exceptions that can affect liability.
What is Connecticut's "Ongoing Storm" Rule?
One of the most important legal principles in Connecticut slip and fall cases is the ongoing storm doctrine.
In general, property owners are not expected to continuously shovel, salt, or sand snow and ice while precipitation is actively falling. Requiring someone to remove snow during an active storm would often be impractical and ineffective because hazardous conditions can return almost immediately.
Instead, Connecticut courts recognize that property owners should be given a reasonable amount of time after the storm has ended to inspect their property and take steps to make it reasonably safe. Whether that opportunity was reasonable depends on the specific circumstances of each case, including the severity of the storm, the amount of snow or ice, and the nature of the property.
Does Connecticut Have a Statewide Deadline for Snow Removal?
Many people believe Connecticut has a law requiring snow to be removed within a certain number of hours. There is no single statewide deadline.
Instead, several factors determine whether a property owner acted reasonably, including:
- When the storm ended.
- The amount of snow or ice that accumulated.
- Whether temperatures caused melting and refreezing.
- The type of property involved.
- Whether the owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
Some Connecticut cities and towns have local ordinances requiring snow removal from public sidewalks within a certain timeframe. These municipal rules vary, so the applicable deadline may depend on where the accident occurred.
Who is Responsible for Removing Snow?
Responsibility depends on the type of property involved.
Homeowners
Homeowners are generally responsible for maintaining their own driveways, walkways, and entrances. However, liability for injuries on public sidewalks depends on local ordinances and the specific facts of the accident.
Businesses
Businesses that invite customers onto their property typically have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. This includes monitoring parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, ramps, and stairways for dangerous snow and ice after a storm has ended.
Landlords
Apartment owners and property managers are often responsible for maintaining common areas used by tenants and visitors. This may include sidewalks, parking lots, shared staircases, and building entrances.
When Can a Property Owner Be Held Liable?
Simply slipping on snow or ice does not automatically mean the property owner was negligent.
A property owner may be responsible if they failed to take reasonable steps to address a hazardous condition after having sufficient time to do so.
Examples include:
- Failing to shovel walkways long after a storm ended.
- Never applying salt or ice melt.
- Ignoring repeated complaints about icy conditions.
- Allowing melting snow to refreeze without treatment.
- Creating an even more dangerous condition through improper snow removal.
- Failing to inspect areas where visitors were expected to walk.
Each case depends on the evidence and surrounding circumstances.
What Happens if a Snow Removal Company Was Hired?
Many commercial property owners hire snow removal contractors during the winter. However, hiring a contractor does not automatically eliminate the property owner’s legal responsibility.
Depending on the circumstances:
- the property owner may be liable,
- the snow removal contractor may be liable,
- or both parties may share responsibility.
Investigating maintenance contracts, service records, weather reports, and inspection logs often plays an important role in determining liability.
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Snow or Ice Claim
Because snow and ice can disappear quickly, preserving evidence is especially important.
Helpful evidence may include:
- Photographs of the snow or ice.
- Surveillance camera footage.
- Witness statements.
- Weather reports.
- Maintenance records.
- Snow removal logs.
- Incident reports.
- Medical records.
- Footwear and clothing worn during the fall.
The sooner this evidence is collected, the easier it is for a premises liability lawyer to prove negligence.
How Can a Connecticut Slip and Fall Lawyer Help?
Winter slip and fall cases often involve complicated legal issues.
- investigate weather conditions,
- preserve surveillance footage,
- obtain maintenance records,
- identify all potentially liable parties,
- work with experts when necessary,
- negotiate with insurance companies, and
- pursue full compensation through settlement or litigation if necessary.
Contact McCoy & McCoy Today
Snow and ice are unavoidable parts of Connecticut winters, but many slip and fall accidents are preventable. Property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises once they have had a reasonable opportunity to address hazardous winter conditions.
If you were injured after slipping on snow or ice because a property owner failed to act reasonably, you may have the right to seek compensation. Speaking with an experienced Torrington slip and fall lawyer, Hartford slip and fall lawyer, or New Haven slip and fall lawyer can help you understand your legal options, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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