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German communities have rules that oblige house owners to keep sidewalks free of ice and snow. Renters living off base should check their rental contracts to find out about their obligations.
Usually, house owners turn over this obligation to their renters. As soon as there is a danger of black ice, renters or landlords must throw salt, sand or gravel on walkways. Snow must be swept off for pedestrians.
But, in some communities, it is not allowed to use salt because it can damage the environment and cause sidewalk tiles to become loose.
House owners or renters have an obligation to shovel enough snow off the sidewalk so two people may walk side by side. Owners or renters don’t have to sweep snow during continuous snowfall, but must remove it about 15 to 30 minutes after it stops snowing.
The snow must be swept in a way that it does not impact traffic.
In most communities, sweeping snow and throwing salt, sand or gravel must be done between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on workdays. On weekends, the snow removal obligation starts at 9 a.m. The general rule is: first sweep off the snow, then throw salt, sand or gravel. In extreme weather, even throughout the day, the cleaning procedures must be repeated. If renters are, according to their contract, obliged to take care of cleaning their sidewalks, they must find somebody to do it for them if they won’t be able to because of sickness or work.
If pedestrians injure themselves on sidewalks that were not properly swept, house owners or renters may be held liable and may have to pay for medical treatment, compensations and sometimes even a fine.
