Is a Michigan Business Required to Salt Ice and Snow?

Our Michigan slip and fall lawyers represent people who suffer serious injuries due to falls on ice and snow.  These preventable falls often result in life-changing injuries. Businesses are required under Michigan law to put down salt on hazardous areas to minimize the risk of a fall.

If you or someone you care about fell due to an unsalted sidewalk or parking lot, you may be entitled to a settlement.  The Buckfire Law Firm wins top settlements in Michigan for these cases.  Contact our award-winning attorneys today to see how we can help you.

• Legal Requirements for Salting in Michigan
• Sidewalk and Walkway Responsibilities
• Slip and Falls at Apartment Complexes and Condominiums
• How Much Can I Get for a Fall on an Unsalted Sidewalk?
• Contact Our Michigan Fall on Ice Lawyers

Legal Requirements for Salting in Michigan

Michigan businesses are generally required to maintain safe conditions on their property, including sidewalks and walkways that serve customers and the public. This duty arises from Michigan’s premises liability law, which requires property owners to exercise reasonable care in protecting visitors from unreasonable risks of harm.

Recent Michigan Supreme Court decisions have significantly strengthened these requirements. In Estate of Livings v. Sage’s Investment Group, LLC, the court held that property owners can be liable for injuries from natural accumulations of snow and ice that interfere with safe entry and exit. This ruling effectively ended the blanket protection many businesses thought they had under the “open and obvious” doctrine.

Property owners must clear snow and ice from sidewalks connecting to their business within a reasonable period after snowfall ends in Michigan.  Some cities require clearing by specific times like midnight depending on the snow accumulation amount, while others tie deadlines to when the snow event ends. Timely removing snow and ice is essential to reduce hazards and comply with local regulations.

The key legal principle is that businesses must ensure safe access for customers and employees by treating icy conditions with salt, sand, or other deicing materials. Simply using a shovel to remove snow isn’t enough when ice remains on walkways—you must actively treat the surface to prevent dangerous slipping conditions. Sidewalk snow removal is a key responsibility for businesses to maintain safe pedestrian access and avoid liability.

Local ordinances vary by municipality, with some requiring clearing by specific times like midnight depending on snowfall amount. Cities like Ann Arbor explicitly state that “any ice accumulations must be treated within 18 hours of forming with sand, salt or other substance, to prevent it from being slippery.” East Lansing requires that “ice should be cleared or an abrasive (salt, sand, etc.) should be applied within 12 hours of formation.”

Sidewalk and Walkway Responsibilities

Business owners are responsible for clearing curb ramps and sidewalks connecting to crosswalks adjacent to their property. This responsibility extends beyond just the immediate storefront to include any sidewalks adjoining your property that provide public access.

The duty typically covers main pedestrian routes that customers and employees use to access your business. If a property has multiple entrances, it is generally responsible for maintaining safe sidewalks leading to all actively used entrances, not just the primary one.

Snow and ice removal typically begin after snowfall and be completed within 24 hours. However, many municipalities have more specific requirements:

• Ann Arbor: Residential and commercial property owners must clear snow greater than one inch within 24 hours, but ice must be treated within 18 hours
• East Lansing: Snow accumulating before noon must be cleared by midnight the same day; snow after noon must be cleared by midnight the following day
• Grosse Pointe Park: All ice and snow must be cleared from sidewalks within 12 hours after it stops falling

Businesses can assign employees to clear sidewalks or hire professional snow removal services. Many larger commercial properties use contractors who monitor weather conditions and respond automatically to snow events. Business owners are encouraged to coordinate with neighbors for effective snow removal, particularly in areas with shared sidewalks, to help maintain safe and accessible walkways for everyone.

Salt Application Best Practices

Putting down salt now only can eliminate existing snow and ice but also serves to prevent the refreezing of ice later.  Rock salt is most effective when temperatures are 20°F or higher after snowfall. Standard sodium chloride works by lowering the freezing point of water through a process called freezing point depression, making it an essential tool for maintaining safe walkways during typical Michigan winter conditions.

Salt becomes ineffective below 17 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring alternative treatments or mechanical removal. In extremely cold conditions, businesses may need to use calcium chloride or magnesium chloride-based products, which remain effective at much lower temperatures but cost significantly more than standard rock salt.

Businesses should apply de-icing materials to prevent refreezing, especially during overnight hours when temperatures typically drop. The most effective approach involves treating surfaces before they refreeze rather than waiting for ice to form. Many successful businesses pre-treat walkways with liquid brine before anticipated snow events.

Apartment Complexes and Condominiums

Many slip and falls occur on icy sidewalks and parking lots at apartment and condominium complexes.  In addition to general theories of negligence, there are statutory duties imposed on owners and property managers to make these areas safe for tenants and visitors.

If you fall outside your apartment building or condo unit due to unsalted ice on a sidewalk, porch, parking lot, or driveway, you can take legal action to receive compensation.

What Should I Do after a Slip and Fall on an Unsalted Ice?

The most important thing to do after a fall in an unsalted icy area is to get proper medical attention.  If possible, you should take photos and videos with your phone to prove the existence of ice and snow where you fell.  This serves as important evidence in any lawsuit claim.

In addition, you should notify the owner of your fall and make a written report, if possible, to document the details of your incident.  If there are eyewitnesses, try to gather their names and contact information in the event they are needed for your case later.

How Much Can I Get for a Fall on an Unsalted Sidewalk?

The amount of a slip and fall on ice settlement depends on the specific facts of your case.  Key factors used to determine your settlement compensation amount include:

• The type of injuries you suffered in the fall
• The medical treatment you received for your injuries
• The need for future medical care and treatment
• Your long-term prognosis of your injuries
• The cost of your medical treatment, past, present, and future
• Any wage loss or financial losses incurred because of the fall

Our award-winning lawyers win top settlements in slip and fall on ice cases.  We hire expert witnesses, including meteorologists and ice removal specialists, to support liability in your case.  We also obtain medical support to prove the seriousness of your injuries and in many cases retain an economist to prove the extent of your financial losses resulting from the fall.

Settlement amounts vary on a case-by-case basis, but we have won many settlements more than $1,000,000 for clients injured due to a slip and fall at defective premises.

Contact Our Michigan Fall on Ice Lawyers Now

It is important to hire our slip and fall on ice lawyers immediately after your incident so we can begin our investigation of your case and notify the insurance company of your claim.

Call The Buckfire Law Firm today to start on your case.  You pay no money unless you win your case and we pay all the case costs and expenses.  There are strict time deadlines for filing cases in Michigan so don’t hesitate to start your claim.

Legally reviewed by:

Lawrence J. Buckfire, J.D., Lead Trial Attorney at Buckfire Law
Lawrence J. Buckfire, J.D. has over 30 years of experience specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and attended Wayne State University School of Law. Lawrence has been named a Super Lawyer, U.S. News Best Lawyer, and in The National Trial Lawyers-Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Date of Review: Dec., 2025