Yes, property owners in Alaska are generally responsible for clearing ice and snow. The specific requirements may vary from one municipality to the next. However, failure to remove snow and ice from sidewalks or other surfaces on your property could result in fines, and you could face civil liability if someone is hurt on your property.
Keep reading below to learn all the details about a property owner’s responsibility for clearing snow and ice.
Ice and Snow Clearing Rules
The specific responsibilities of property owners are governed by the laws of each local municipality. Many municipalities, including Anchorage, have rules that specify these responsibilities.
Property owners generally have a responsibility to clear snow and ice from:
- Driveways
- Adjacent sidewalks
- Mailboxes
- Snow berms at your driveway created by snow plowing
Local governments are responsible for clearing snow from the roadways in the area. Some municipalities also take responsibility for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks. Keep in mind that some municipalities even require property owners to clear snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowfall.
Where Can a Property Owner Push Snow and Ice?
After a snowstorm, you should be careful where you place the snow and ice you clear. It is actually illegal to push snow or ice across the road or right-of-way. You should also not shovel snow onto the sidewalk. Instead, the snow from your driveway and sidewalk should be placed onto your property.
As you clear the snow, you should try to pile it along one side of your driveway. For instance, move it from the left side of your driveway to the right side. Do not shovel it down your driveway and into the road.
Penalties for Failure to Remove Snow and Ice
Property owners can face some serious penalties for failing to properly remove snow and ice.
A property owner could face:
- Fines
- Property liens
- Civil liability
In some situations, your municipality may clear snow or ice that is your responsibility. They could assess a fee for this removal and add the amount of the fee to your property tax bill. If someone is hurt on your property due to your failure to remove snow and ice, you could face substantial civil liability.
What Is a Property Owner’s Responsibility for Snow and Ice in Alaska?
Property owners have a duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. In Alaska’s winter climate, this often includes taking reasonable steps to remove snow and ice or to warn visitors about dangerous conditions. Failing to do so can create serious hazards for guests, customers, or tenants and be considered negligence.
If a property owner does not address unsafe snow or ice conditions within a reasonable time, they may be held legally responsible for injuries that result. What is considered “reasonable” depends on factors such as the severity of the weather, how long the condition existed, and the type of property involved.
Understanding a property owner’s responsibilities is an important first step in determining whether a legal claim may exist after a fall.
How to Recover Compensation After a Snow or Ice Slip and Fall
If you are injured after slipping on snow or ice on someone else’s property, you may be able to pursue a premises liability claim.
To succeed, you generally must prove the property owner was negligent by showing:
- A duty of care owed to you
- A failure to fix or address the unsafe condition
- A direct link between that failure and your injury
- Actual physical or emotional damages
Victims of snow and ice slip and fall accidents may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. These can include medical expenses, lost income, future reduced earning capacity, out-of-pocket costs, and compensation for pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Contact the Eagle River Personal Injury Attorneys at Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
After an accident involving someone else’s negligence, Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our experienced Eagle River personal injury lawyers can help you determine all the damages that may be available in your case. Make sure that you get help from a lawyer who can help you recover all the compensation you are owed.
For more information, please contact Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We have two locations in Alaska, including Anchorage and Eagle River.
Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers – Anchorage
2525 Gambell St #410,
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 290-8980
Farnsworth & Vance Personal Injury Lawyers – Eagle River
13135 Old Glenn Hwy, Suite 101
Eagle River, AK 99577
(907) 802-4097
