Plowing Snow on Private Property

Counties and towns have statutory authority to remove snow from private property. The county or town must be paid not less than the cost of the snow removal, and the work must not “unduly delay or interfere” with the removal of snow from public highways under the county or town's jurisdiction. The relevant statute is Minn. Stat. § 160.21.

Some statutes relating to snow removal from roadways apply to specific entities, such as the statute for St. Louis County found at Minn. Stat. § 383C.234. Cities should consult with their attorneys to clarify the scope of their authority to remove snow from private property.

Additionally, counties, towns and cities have specific authority to adopt an annual resolution to remove snow from certain unopened or private roads in uncompleted subdivisions. The provision is found in subdivision 6 of Minn. Stat. § 160.21.

Date this Avoiding Pitfall was most recently published: 1/6/2023