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Snow clearance in Chicago

Snow removal firms and roofers.

76 pros in Chicago

Snow clearance in Chicago is shaped by city rules as much as by weather. Under the Municipal Code, property owners must clear snow and ice from their sidewalks, and the city asks you to shovel as soon as possible after snowfall, 7 days a week, with a path at least 5 feet wide that includes crosswalk ramps. Parking rules matter too: a Two-Inch Parking Ban can start once there are at least two inches of snow on a main street, at any time of day or date in the calendar, and the Winter Overnight Parking Ban runs from 3 am to 7 am, December 1st through April 1st. Normal first measurable snow at O'Hare arrives on November 18 and the normal last falls on April 2, so a season can be long. When you hire a plow or shovelling crew, ask whether the quote covers sidewalks and crosswalk ramps as well as the driveway, how quickly they clear after a storm, and where they will pile snow so it does not block the street or a neighbour. Get the terms in writing.

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What to know in Chicago

  • The January 31-February 2, 2011 blizzard produced 21.2 inches of snow officially at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, the third largest snowstorm on record for the city. It brought gusts of 50 to 60 mph and snowdrifts of 2 to 5 feet, with a few drifts of 10 feet or more.

    National Weather Service Chicago (source, opens in a new tab)

  • Using 1991-2020 normals for Chicago O'Hare, the normal first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) falls on November 18 and the normal last on April 2. The normal first snowfall of 1 inch or more is December 7 and the normal last is March 20.

    National Weather Service Chicago (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Ask about liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover before anyone works on your roof or property.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Chicago

Who is responsible for clearing the sidewalk in front of my Chicago property?

Under the Municipal Code of Chicago, property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks. The city says to shovel as soon as possible after snow falls, 7 days a week. If you hire a crew, confirm in writing that sidewalks are included. City of Chicago (source, opens in a new tab)

How wide should the cleared sidewalk path be?

The city's guidance is a path at least 5 feet wide, including crosswalk ramps. When you compare quotes, ask each crew whether they clear to that width and whether ramps at the corner are part of the job or an extra item. City of Chicago (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a snow removal quote or contract include?

Ask for the areas covered, such as driveway, walkways and roof, and the snow depth that triggers a visit. Also ask for the response time after a storm, where snow will be piled, how payment works, and who is responsible for any damage to lawns or fences.

Can a Two-Inch Parking Ban affect when my driveway or street is cleared?

A Two-Inch Parking Ban covers another 500 miles of main streets and can be activated once there are at least two inches of snow on the street, at any date. Check where your car is parked, and ask your crew about timing so vehicles are not in the way. City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (source, opens in a new tab)

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