Overview
- Property owners carry primary snow-clearing and gritting duties, and landlords may transfer them to tenants only via explicit rental-contract clauses, with required tools and grit provided in multi-unit buildings.
- Courts limit mandatory spreading to situations of general icing, yet insurers advise preventive gritting when overnight ice is forecast, while salt is typically permitted only for black ice or particularly dangerous spots subject to local statutes.
- Many cities restrict private rock salt because of documented environmental harm to vegetation, animals, groundwater, and infrastructure, steering residents to sand, split, calcite granulate, or lava-granulate products bearing the Blue Angel label.
- Wood shavings are deemed unsuitable for icy sidewalks, with an Oberlandesgericht Hamm ruling warning they can absorb moisture, become slick, and fail to provide the required traction.
- Ignoring clearing and gritting duties can trigger municipal fines and liability for injuries, tenants who refuse risk warnings or termination, appropriate liability insurance is recommended, and pedestrians may share fault if they neglect obvious risks or suitable footwear.