Snow and Sidewalks 

Residential Sidewalks 

Sidewalks must be kept clear of snow and ice and safe for pedestrians. In residential districts, property owners are reminded to completely clear public sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall. If snow is not removed promptly, the Police Department may issue a citation. Additionally, if the City must clear the sidewalk, the property owner will be billed for that snow removal service.

City plows will do their best to not push snow up onto sidewalks. However, sometimes this is unavoidable.

Senior Community Serivces operates their HOME (Household and Outside Maintenance) Program to help provide affordable home maintenance and chore services for older adults. Call 952-746-4046 for program details.

Downtown Business Area 

With a goal of making Osseo a walkable community in all seasons, the City adopted a downtown snow removal ordinance in 2014. Sidewalks must be kept clear of snow and ice. These snow removal requirements apply to the Central Business District and the R-2 Residential District (apartment areas along 1st Avenues). Prompt snow removal will allow residents and customers to safely park and walk in convenient downtown locations.

City crews will remove the snow from streets as soon as possible following a snowfall. (Oftentimes, snow is plowed into central storage locations on the first night of a Snow Emergency, and it is hauled away on the second night.)
Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalk. If snow is not removed promptly, the Police Department may issue a citation. Additionally, if the City must clear the sidewalk, the property owner will be billed for that snow removal service.

Snow removal requirements are as follows:

• During daylight hours (8 AM to 5 PM, 7 days a week), snow must be removed from the sidewalk within 4 hours. If the snow falls outside of daylight hours, it must be removed from the sidewalk as soon as possible after 8 AM, and completely by 12 Noon.
• Snow should be completely removed from the entire sidewalk, from the building line to the curb.
• Snow removal requirements apply each snowfall, 7 days a week.

Here are some examples:

• If it stops snowing at 10 AM, snow must be removed by 2 PM at the latest.
• If it stops snowing at 5 AM, snow should be removed as soon as possible but by 12 Noon at the latest (4 hours after 8 AM).
• If the snow stops at 2 PM then it needs to be removed by 9 AM the next morning (3 daylight hours in the afternoon and 1 in the morning).

What are the next steps?

• If the snow is not removed by the required time, the police department will issue a ticket which costs approximately $40, plus taxes and fees instituted by the courts.
• If the snow is not removed within 24 hours of the issuance of the ticket, the City will have the snow removed and assess the property owner for the cost.

We thank you for your help in making Osseo a walkable community under all conditions. 

Snow Removal Regulations for Central Avenue Property Owners

Sidewalks must be kept safe for pedestrians and clear of snow and ice. To preserve the investment in the Central Avenue streetscape, the Council amended the City Code (Section 93.01) in 2010 to provide guidance regarding the type of equipment that can be used and where snow can be stored along Central Avenue.   More specifically:

• Snow should not be piled on or around benches, in bump outs, or on raised planters. Snow should be completely removed from the entire sidewalk, from the building line to the curb.
• Use of sand is not permitted on sidewalk pavers.
• Contact Public Works for approval of snow removal equipment. Trucks and heavy equipment are not allowed on sidewalks. Metal blades, chains, or tracks are not permitted on non walk-behind snow removal machines.

The City will be actively enforcing the snow removal code to ensure Central Avenue sidewalks are safe, accessible, and appropriately maintained.