Winter Road Maintenance in Mainz: Snow Removal and Salting Responsibilities for Property Owners
“When it gets noticeably colder outside and everything turns white…”—that’s when Mainz has to break out the snow shovels and the grit again. Whenever snow or black ice is forecast, Mainz’s city sanitation department is always fully prepared for any eventuality.
The work to clear snow and spread salt begins as early as the very early morning hours. Mainz City Cleaning clears snow and ice from streets and some bike paths within the city limits—meticulously prioritized according to a list of priorities. However, this does not include sidewalks and footpaths (except those along city-owned property).
Every private property owner is responsible for clearing snow and applying grit in accordance with the applicable street cleaning ordinance and must ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Basic Rules
What and how should be cleared?
The entire length along the property line, including all street-facing sides that border the public right-of-way, must be cleared and gritted. The area to be cleared on the sidewalk should be at least a 1.50-meter-wide strip. If the sidewalk is narrower than 1.50 m, then at least a 1 m-wide strip must be cleared. On streets without a sidewalk, if the street is 5.50 m or wider, a 1.50 m-wide strip along the property line must be cleared. On streets narrower than 5.50 m, at least a 1.00-meter-wide strip must be cleared of snow. If parking spaces, shoulders, plantings, or similar features adjoin the property line, a 1.50-meter-wide strip must also be cleared here.
Important:
Access to crosswalks or public transit stops located in front of a property must also be cleared. Depending on weather conditions, there is also an obligation to clear and spread salt several times a day—as needed due to snowfall—to ensure safety on the sidewalks.
When must snow be cleared?
Snow that has fallen overnight must be cleared by 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and by 8:00 a.m. on Sundays and holidays. The obligation to clear and spread grit applies on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Important: Please use the correct de-icing agent!
In Mainz—as in most other municipalities—the use of de-icing agents or salts is prohibited. Using them on public walkways is considered an administrative offense (Street Cleaning Act, § 7, para. 1).
Therefore, only abrasive de-icing materials such as lava, sand, gravel, or granules may be used. These materials effectively prevent slipping on snow and black ice without harming the environment and can generally be reused after being swept up.
Further questions: Waste Management Advisory Service of the City of Mainz, phone 12 34 56.