Winter Readiness: Snow & Ice Rules for Streeterville Buildings

Chicago winters move fast, and so do city expectations. If you manage or own a Streeterville building, you know a few inches of snow can turn into slippery sidewalks, blocked curb ramps, and safety complaints in no time. You want a plan that keeps people safe, avoids citations, and protects your building from liability. In this guide, you’ll learn what Chicago requires, how to keep accessible routes open, and how to set up a storm plan that actually works when the snow starts falling. Let’s dive in.

Who must clear sidewalks

If your property sits next to a public sidewalk, you are generally responsible for keeping that sidewalk clear and safe for pedestrians. That applies to the sidewalk that abuts your property line up to the curb. In dense, high-pedestrian areas like Streeterville, compliance is closely watched and complaints are common. Plan to meet or exceed the minimum standards.

Keep in mind that building managers, condo associations, and commercial tenants often handle day-to-day operations. The city still holds the property owner or person in charge responsible, so align roles and put your plan in writing.

When you must clear after a snowfall

Chicago requires private property owners to clear snow and ice within a set number of hours after the snowfall ends. Always confirm the current ordinance language before winter begins, and build your response times around it. In practice, aim to have primary entrances and minimum accessible routes cleared as soon as it is safe to do so and keep re-checking surfaces as temperatures drop.

For overnight storms, schedule early crews so sidewalks are safe for morning foot traffic. For daytime events, coordinate interim passes to prevent ice layers from forming underneath compacted snow.

Keep curb ramps and accessible routes open

Accessibility is not optional. The ADA minimum clear width for an accessible route is 36 inches. In busy Streeterville corridors, aim for 48 inches so people using wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility devices can pass more comfortably.

Prioritize these locations in this order:

1. Building entrances, steps, vestibules, and entry ramps
2. Adjacent bus stops, taxi stands, and loading zones
3. Crosswalks and curb ramps at the nearest corners
4. The sidewalk along your entire frontage
5. Walkways to garage entrances, service doors, and signed ADA routes

If you are unsure whether a specific ramp is city-maintained, coordinate with Streets and Sanitation or CDOT before the season begins.

What you cannot do with snow

Do not push or place snow into the street, onto public sidewalks, into storm drains, or onto a neighbor’s property. Do not block hydrants, crosswalks, intersections, or bus stops. If on-site staging is tight, plan for hauling with your contractor and define where and when hauling will occur.

Store snow on private property where possible and keep piles from blocking sight lines or pedestrian flow. Revisit pile placement as storms stack up.

Avoid fines and reduce liability risk

The city enforces sidewalk clearing rules through citations and fines. If the city clears your frontage after notice, it may bill you and place a lien. Separate from enforcement, there is also civil liability exposure if a pedestrian slips due to unsafe conditions where you failed to exercise reasonable care.

Reasonable care looks like timely clearing, appropriate de-icing, and keeping at least the minimum accessible path open. Keep documentation such as time-stamped photos, logs, and contractor work tickets. Review your building’s liability insurance and confirm that your snow contractor provides current certificates and additional insured status.

Choose and manage a snow contractor

A strong contract keeps winter operations predictable. Include:

• Scope of work: list every frontage segment, entrance, ramp, curb ramp, walkway, driveway, dock, and garage approach
• Trigger thresholds: define when the contractor mobilizes, with separate triggers for light vs heavy storms
• Response times: set targets for initial passes and full clearing tied to storm end and ongoing accumulation
• Frequency and follow-up: specify re-passes during multi-day storms and post-storm touch-ups
• Priority map: mark entrances, ADA routes, bus stops, loading areas, and corners
• Snow hauling: define who hauls, where snow goes, and when staging areas are full
• Materials control: approve which de-icers are allowed and maximum application rates
• Performance and remedies: outline penalties for missed call-outs or late response
• Communication: confirm 24/7 contacts, escalation steps, storm alerts, and post-storm reports

Insurance must-haves:

• Commercial general liability and workers’ compensation
• Additional insured status for the owner or manager, with limits vetted by your insurer
• Indemnity for contractor negligence, including slip-and-fall related to their work

Ask for downtown Chicago references, confirm backup equipment, and require post-storm logs with photos and material records.

Materials and methods that work

• Sodium chloride (rock salt): widely used and affordable. It loses effectiveness in very low temperatures.
• Calcium chloride: works in colder temps but can be more corrosive. Use carefully and control application rates to protect concrete and landscaping.
• Sand or grit: improves traction but does not melt ice. Plan cleanup to keep drains clear.

Apply the lowest effective quantity to protect Lake Michigan and local waterways. Clear to bare pavement when feasible to reduce slip risk. In high-traffic entrance areas, heated mats can help, though they add cost and planning.

Streeterville storm plan checklist

Pre-season

• Confirm current city rules and timing requirements
• Select your contractor and finalize SLAs, insurance, and a site map
• Mark priority zones and accessible routes
• Stock de-icers and test application rates on your surfaces

During storms

• Clear entrances and ramps early, then maintain throughout the event
• Keep a continuous accessible path at least 36 inches wide, aiming for 48 inches
• Capture time-stamped photos, contractor tickets, and material logs
• Update tenants with expected clearing times and where to report hazards

Post-storm

• Haul snow if piles block lines of sight, curb ramps, or key walkways
• Sweep sand and grit to protect drains
• Review contractor performance against SLAs and refine for the next event

Sample clearing timeline

Every storm is different. Use this as a planning baseline and adjust for severity:

• During snowfall: Make interim passes at entrances, curb ramps, and main walkways to prevent compaction and ice layers
• After snowfall ends: Clear primary entrances and the minimum accessible route as soon as it is safe to operate equipment
• Within the next window: Expand to full frontage, corners, crosswalk touch points, and loading zones
• Follow-up: Re-check shaded areas and refreeze zones in the evening and early morning

Coordinate with tenants and staff

Share your written snow plan with tenants before winter starts. Post clear signage with response windows and a number or email to report hazards. Assign on-site staff to handle quick-need areas like steps or vestibules and to act as the point of contact for your contractor.

A smooth, well-communicated winter response protects people and your property while reinforcing your building’s reputation for care and reliability.

If winter readiness is part of your retention and leasing strategy, let a trusted local partner support your plan. From tenant communications to vacancy reduction and lease-up services, Strato Living can help you deliver a standout resident experience this season. Get Started.

FAQs

What are Chicago’s sidewalk snow removal timing rules?

• Chicago requires owners to clear snow and ice within a defined period after snowfall stops. Verify the current hours each season and build your plan to beat that window.

Who is responsible for clearing curb ramps near my building?

• You are responsible for accessible routes along your frontage, including keeping adjacent curb ramps passable. If a ramp is city-maintained, clarify roles with Streets and Sanitation or CDOT before winter.

How wide should I clear to meet accessibility needs?

• Keep at least a 36-inch clear path to meet the ADA minimum. In Streeterville, aim for 48 inches to support two-way flow and mobility devices.

Can I be fined if my contractor is late or misses a pass?

• The city holds the owner or person in charge responsible for compliance. Contractor delays do not shift liability, so set strict SLAs and escalation procedures.

What de-icing material should I use to protect concrete and the environment?

• Use the lowest effective amount. Rock salt is common but less effective in extreme cold; calcium chloride works in lower temps but can be more corrosive. Sweep sand or grit promptly to keep drains clear.