Strategy 4 Improve winter walking and rolling.
The actions within this strategy are divided into two categories:
Action we will DOActions we will SUPPORTAction we will do are followed by “DO” and are colored in dark gray, and actions we will support are followed by “SUPPORT” and are colored in light gray.
Learn more about how we get thereMaintaining winter access for people walking in the city is critically important. Minneapolis experiences an average of 54” of snow per year1, in addition to freeze and thaw cycles, and the system in place to ensure the sidewalks are kept clear and passable involves many people and institutions throughout the city. Currently, City ordinance requires property owners of duplexes and single-family homes to clear the public sidewalk abutting their property within 24 hours of snow ending, and all other property owners to clear their sidwalks within four daylight hours of the snow ending. Clearing corners to the gutter line are the responsibility of the corner lot property owner. There is a City-led corner clearing program that works to clear corners after large storms, post-plowing of the streets, until all corners are cleared citywide. Moving forward and in alignment with Walking Strategy 1, the City-led corner clearing program will move to align with the Pedestrian Priority Network.
The 2018 Minneapolis Pedestrian and Bicycling Winter Maintenance Study provides options to enhance the quality and consistency of clearing snow and ice from sidewalks and bikeways; many of those ideas are reflected in this strategy's actions.
Actions to improve winter walking and rolling.
Walking 4.1
Expand education and awareness efforts for residents and businesses on the City’s sidewalk snow and ice removal ordinance, related standards and responsibilities.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
In 2022, sidewalk inspectors began placing doorhanger flyers at properties found to be in violation of the ordinance. This is in addition to existing improved communications including yearly educational letters and warning letters for first violations.
Walking 4.2
Collaborate with the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department to build and share a list of community resources for clearing sidewalks to assist those who are unable.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
In Progress
Significant milestone(s):
Staff evaluated the potential for capacity expansion of existing resources as part of the Legislative Directive Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Report and the Legislative Directive Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Pilot Project Cost Analysis. These include a pilot program for seniors aligned with the Minneapolis for a Lifetime Age Friendly Action Plan. The senior sidewalk clearing pilot commenced during the 2024-2025 winter season.
Walking 4.3
Work in partnership with Metro Transit to develop enhanced winter maintenance standards and enforcement for transit stops and stations.
Supported goals:
Safety Mobility Active Partnerships
Related actions:
Transit 6.1, Transit 6.2, Transit 6.3, Transit 6.4, Transit 6.5, Transit 6.6, Transit 6.7, Transit 6.8, Transit 6.9
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2030+ (Years 10+)
Status:
Not Started
Note:
Currently, Metro Transit is responsible for winter maintenance and snow clearing at all bus and rail operation facilities, transit centers, and transit stops with shelters. Adjacent property owners are responsible for clearing bus stops that do not have a shelter or bench. US Bench Corporation maintains benches at bus stops without shelters. Public Works supports actions to improve winter conditions at transit stops in particular, as identified in the 2024 Winter Walking and Biking Study. This action will be revisited during the 2030 update to the TAP.
Walking 4.4
Change 311 and related property reports language to more accurately communicate when issues are resolved in the computer system vs. on the street as snow and ice complaints are received and processed.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Low
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
In Progress
Note:
As of 2025, each sidewalk complaint is assigned to an inspector who will verify the sidewalk conditions. Then, an Order to Correct notice is sent and property is re-inspected after 3 business days, allowing the property owner time to clear the sidewalk. After the re-inspection, the City sends a work order to a contractor who will then clear the walk. The City continues to coordinate to ensure that customers filing snow and ice complaints receive clear communication about the case status during the inspection and clearing process.
Walking 4.5
Consider further streamlining inspection process by eliminating sending an Order to Correct and instead proceed with authorizing snow removal or ice mitigation.
Supported goals:
Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
In Progress
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works is exploring methods to eliminate the Order to Correct. The sidewalk snow and ice removal pilot programs will provide more detail on outcome related to proceeding with authorizing snow clearing or ice removal without sending an Order to Correct.
Walking 4.6
Consider adding financial penalties to properties out of compliance with snow and ice clearing responsibilities, with an emphasis on properties with repeat issues.
Supported goals:
Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Complete
Significant milestone(s):
In November 2023, the City replaced a flat fee for authorized contractor cleanups with a new fee based on the linear feet of sidewalk cleared. Public Works will monitor the effectiveness of this change and evaluate potential future changes.
Walking 4.7
Evaluate feasibility of changing City of Minneapolis Ordinance 445.20 for sidewalk clearing to require clearing the sidewalks earlier.
Supported goals:
Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Complete
Significant milestone(s):
City staff evaluated the feasibility of this action and no changes are recommended to the ordinance at this time. Shortening the 24-hour clearing timeframe for single-family and duplex properties are not anticipated to generate significant improvements due to enforcement challenges.
Walking 4.8
Continue to pilot, evaluate and implement processes that improve winter conditions for people walking; focus on equitable outcomes through coordination, sidewalk inspections, corner clearing and a willingness to test new solutions to improve snow and ice clearance.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Difficulty:
High
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Public Works continues to pilot, evaluate, and implement improvements. Most recent milestones include funding for four sidewalk snow and ice removal pilots during the 2025-2026 winter season. These programs are a continuation and refinement of the pilot programs initially funded for the 2024-2025 winter season. In the case of the neighborhood snow patrol pilot, participation doubled from four neighborhoods in 2024-2025 to eight neighborhoods in 2025-2026.
Walking 4.9
Evaluate corner clearing program and pedestrian pushbutton design guidance to improve approach to better clear snow and ice adjacent to pedestrian pushbuttons.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Design 1.1, Design 1.2, Design 1.3, Design 1.4, Design 1.5, Design 1.6, Design 1.7
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Successfully completed to date and on-going
Significant milestone(s):
Currently, Public Works clears corners as part of snow clearance; it is not a standalone program. The placement of new pedestrian pushbuttons is reviewed on an ongoing basis through bi-weekly capital project task force meetings.
Walking 4.10
Conduct review of Pedestrian and Bicycle Winter Maintenance Study on a biennial basis to evaluate and suggest changes to City-led snow and ice clearing, including evaluating City-led clearing of snow and ice on the Pedestrian Priority Network.
Supported goals:
Safety Equity Mobility
Related actions:
Bicycles 6.11
Difficulty:
Medium
Timeframe:
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Status:
Complete
Significant milestone(s):
The 2024 Winter Walking and Biking Study includes a review and extensive evaluation of a potential City-led clearing of snow and ice on the Pedestrian Priority Network. This study proposed 8 additional actions for the Walking chapter of the TAP. Public Works is pursuing these proposed actions.
See also actions:
- Bicycling 6.9
Snow and ice removal on the All Ages and Abilities Network trails - Bicycling 6.10
Snow and ice removal on greenways - Street Operations 9.4
Snow and ice removal at construction sites