KENOSHA, Wis. — With winter weather approaching, the City of Kenosha is reminding residents and property owners that they are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after a winter storm ends. Those who fail to comply with the city’s snow removal ordinance could face fines, according to a Wednesday, November 4, 2026, announcement from the city’s Department of Public Works.
City officials are also reminding residents that their responsibilities extend beyond sidewalks. Accessible ramps, fire hydrants, roadway inlets and mailboxes must also be kept clear of snow and ice to maintain public safety and accessibility throughout the winter months.
Under Kenosha’s ordinance, property owners and occupants must remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after a storm ends. Properties located next to accessible ramps must also have the entire width of the ramp and adjacent curbline cleared, allowing pedestrians and individuals with mobility challenges to safely navigate intersections.
The city also prohibits residents from shoveling, blowing or dumping snow into public streets or alley rights of way. Snow must remain on the property where it originally accumulated, and violations may result in fines. Residents who observe potential violations can report them to the Kenosha Department of Public Works.
When clearing driveways, sidewalks and driveway approaches, city officials encourage residents to push snow toward their homes and onto their front lawns whenever possible. This practice reduces snow accumulation in parkways, provides additional room for city snowplows and may help prevent large piles of snow from being deposited at the ends of driveways.
Fire hydrants and roadway inlets are another concern during winter weather. Residents are asked to keep hydrants accessible for firefighters responding to emergencies and to clear roadway inlets to help prevent flooding when snow melts or heavy rain occurs.
Residents with mailboxes located along city streets are also responsible for ensuring postal workers can safely reach them. Although Public Works crews will attempt to clear snow as close to mailboxes as possible during plowing operations, the city cautions that conditions may prevent complete clearing. Property owners must maintain a clear path to their mailboxes to ensure uninterrupted mail delivery.
The city is also asking residents to be mindful of where they place automated garbage and recycling carts during snow removal operations. Officials recommend clearing an area in the lawn or parkway for carts or placing them on either side of the driveway approach, outside the street, to avoid interfering with snowplows.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local media for snow emergency announcements and parking restrictions during significant winter storms. Keeping streets clear of vehicles and other obstacles helps Public Works crews perform snow removal operations more efficiently.
Additional information about Kenosha’s winter maintenance operations and snow removal requirements is available on the city’s website at kenosha.org/departments/public-works/seasonal-operations. Residents may also contact the Department of Public Works at 262-653-4050 or [email protected].
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One Response
24 hours is BS
Should be fair and do 72.
What if you’re out of town on a weekend and it snows?