When snow starts piling up in West Michigan, sidewalks can quickly turn from helpful pathways into slippery obstacles. Each winter, many residents ask the same question: Who is actually responsible for clearing the sidewalks?
Within the city limits of Whitehall and Montague, the answer largely comes down to property owners — with some help from the cities along key routes. Here’s what residents should know as winter continues.
Sidewalk Snow Removal in Montague
In the City of Montague, clearing sidewalks is generally the responsibility of the people who live or do business next to them.
City ordinance states that property owners or occupants adjoining a sidewalk are expected to make a good-faith effort to remove snow and ice after a snowfall. While the City of Montague may choose to clear certain sidewalks, that action does not transfer long-term responsibility away from the adjacent property owner.
In simple terms: if a sidewalk runs along your property, you’re expected to shovel it.
Where the City Helps
The City of Montague does take care of snow removal along some heavily used pedestrian routes. These areas help create safer, more reliable walking paths during the winter and currently include portions of:
- Cook Street
- Dowling Street
- Old Channel Trail
- Sidewalks in the downtown area
City Manager, Jeff Auch, noted that sidewalk maintenance will continue to evolve as Montague expands its sidewalk system. Through projects like Safe Routes to Schools, the city plans to focus on creating connected routes rather than isolated sidewalk segments, making winter maintenance more effective for everyone.
Sidewalk Snow Removal in Whitehall
Whitehall’s approach is straightforward: property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks next to their property.
City code requires property owners to promptly remove snow and ice from sidewalks within city limits. If a sidewalk is not cleared within 24 hours after a written notice from the city, the property owner may face civil fines.
The goal is to keep sidewalks safe and passable for daily use throughout the winter months.
Why Clearing Sidewalks Matters
Sidewalks aren’t just for fair-weather walks. In winter, they’re essential for many residents, including:
- Students walking to and from school
- Seniors and people with mobility challenges
- Residents who rely on walking for transportation
Clearing sidewalks helps reduce slip-and-fall risks and keeps neighborhoods accessible, even after heavy snowfall.
A Community Responsibility
While city crews focus on maintaining certain routes, most sidewalk snow removal in both Whitehall and Montague depends on residents and property owners doing their part. Clearing sidewalks in a timely, good-faith manner helps keep the entire community safer.
Residents with questions about specific sidewalks, city-maintained routes, or enforcement are encouraged to contact their city offices directly for the most up-to-date information.
As winter continues, a few minutes with a shovel can make a big difference for neighbors, pedestrians, and the community as a whole.
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