Snow & Ice-Resident Responsibility

Sidewalks, Crosswalks, and Alleys

The City of La Crosse would like to remind property owners and residents of the need to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their homes, businesses, and properties. Sidewalks are used by many City residents and visitors. Ice and snow present a significant impairment and hazard, especially to elderly and disabled citizens.

For the safety of our citizens and visitors, Sec. 40-8 that requires snow and ice to be removed from the sidewalk and curb ramps within twenty-four (24) hours after it ceases to fall. Failure to comply will result in citations. The City's Engineering Department handles inspections for ordinance compliance throughout the winter season beginning with the first snowfall.

For complaints or questions, contact the City Engineering Department at 608-789-7505, option 1.

The City of La Crosse does not plow alleys.  It is the responsibility of the residents to remove any snow, if necessary. 

The City provides sand mixed with salt for residents to use on the City sidewalks. Residents are required to bring their own shovels & containers. See here for locations.

Sec. 40-8. - Snow, Ice, and Debris Removal:

• Sidewalks shall be cleared to the full width.
• If packed snow cannot be removed; it should be treated as ice and sprinkled with ashes, sand or salt until such time that it can be removed.
• Curb ramps at corner lots or cross walks should be kept free from snow and ice extending past the curb and gutter to the street pavement
• That portion of the sidewalk that crosses an alley should be kept clear to the alley centerline by adjacent property owner/occupants
• No person shall use the public streets or any other public property as a place for disposal of snow from private property. Pushing, dumping, blowing, throwing or otherwise transferring snow from private property to a public street is prohibited. 

Disposal of Snow

Residents and businesses are asked to refrain from shoveling, snow blowing and plowing snow from sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots onto city streets. Snow from sidewalks and driveways should be deposited onto your yard or boulevard (the strip between the curb and sidewalk). It is suggested that schools, businesses, shopping centers and other property owners with parking lots make sure that snow being cleared from their lots is either deposited somewhere on the property or hauled away, not dumped onto the street. The snow dumped onto the street causes a public safety hazard, can create more work for the neighbor down the road that ends up getting the extra snow, and can cost additional time and personnel for us to return and clear it.

Parked Cars

The single biggest problem in snow plowing is parked and abandoned cars. Those cars present obstacles to our plows, which we try to get as close to the curb as we can. We regularly return to plow snow islands left by parked cars.