Snow Clearing Rules and Responsibilities in France

The passage of Storm Caetano left the north of France covered in snow this week, leading to widespread disruption.

Read more: Trains cancelled, drivers stranded, power cuts: impact of Storm Caetano in France

In many places the snow settled, leading to a thick coating on homes, roads, and pavements.

Read more: Photos as snow falls – and settles – across France

When it comes to clearing the snow from your own property, this is of course your own responsibility, but for common areas it can be less clear. Below, we look at the rules.

Rules depend on mayoral decree

It is your job to clear the snow on your driveway, garden, and only property.

However if there is a pavement between your driveway and the road, it is not always your role to clear it.

Clearing the pavement consists of removing the snow so that people can walk on it and salting the path if there is ice (particularly black ice).

It is only your responsibility if the mairie makes a declaration stating so.

If there is no declaration it falls under the responsibility of the municipal services, who will clear it when dealing with public roads.

The declaration must be put up at the mairie, and may also be placed near homes where snow has fallen to remind people of the rules. If you are unsure, you can contact your mairie to see the rules where your property is located.

It is the responsibility of the property owner for detached homes (or the tenant if it is rented out) or a designated trustee in co-ownership buildings and flats.

If the rules are not followed, the mairie could in theory fine you €150. Furthermore, you are liable to be sued by anyone who suffers an injury.

In Paris, rules are stricter: the pavement must be cleared along ‘the entire length of the facade and up to four metres in width’ according to a 1937 decree.

Failure to do so can result in a fine of €38, and owners are liable for accidents that happen outside of the property.

Other rules to bear in mind

There are no rules against clearing the pavement even when no mayoral decree is in place, so if you feel like giving a helping hand regardless, you are welcome to remove the snow outside of your property.

In areas where heavy snowfall is more common, the decree may also state property owners need to put up snow bars on their roofs to prevent snow falling onto roads, and to remove overhanging icicles that may injure passersby when falling.

Public roads are always maintained by communal and departmental authorities, and you do not need to clear them. If they are blocked by snow, you can contact the mairie to notify them, and they will arrange for it to be cleared.