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In Düsseldorf, the owner is responsible for the pavement in front of their property. On working days from 7 am to 8 pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 9 am to 8 pm, they must keep a strip at least one metre wide clear of snow and ice. The owner can pass this duty on to tenants or a service provider – but remains responsible for checking that it is actually done.
City or frontager: who clears what?
On behalf of the city, AWISTA clears the important roads: main roads, bus and tram routes, main cycle paths, pedestrian crossings and particularly dangerous spots. Pavements, pedestrian zones and traffic-calmed streets, on the other hand, are the responsibility of the owners of the adjoining properties. This also applies to undeveloped plots and garage plots.
What Düsseldorf’s street cleaning bylaw requires
The rules are set out in the city’s street cleaning bylaw (Straßenreinigungssatzung):
- Width: at least 1 metre, so that two pedestrians can pass each other.
- Times: working days 7 am to 8 pm, Sundays and public holidays 9 am to 8 pm.
- Access paths: where present, also the path to a bus stop or a recycling container.
- Grit: road salt is generally prohibited on pavements. Abrasive materials such as sand, grit or granules are allowed.
Important: calcium chloride and other “alternative” de-icers also count as salt and are not allowed on pavements. Salt damages trees and must not get onto tree pits or green areas.
Can the owner hand the duty over?
Yes. Owners can transfer winter service via the tenancy agreement, the house rules or a contracted caretaker service. In practice, each option has its weaknesses:
- Tenants: the arrangement must be validly agreed. If a tenant is ill, on holiday or at work, they have to arrange cover themselves – which rarely works reliably.
- Property management: property managers usually organise winter service on behalf of the owners, but don’t clear snow themselves.
- Service provider: the most reliable solution, because availability, grit and documentation are all taken care of.
In every case, whoever hands over the task must carry out spot checks to make sure it is done. After an accident, it is exactly these checks that are examined.
What happens if nobody clears the snow?
If a passer-by falls on an uncleared pavement, they can claim damages and compensation for pain and suffering. The owner, the property manager or the person to whom the duty was validly transferred may be liable. What often decides the case is who can prove that clearing and gritting was done in time. That is why documentation with date, time and photos is so valuable.
Checklist for owners and property managers
- Put responsibilities in writing (tenancy agreement, house rules or service contract)
- Arrange cover for illness and holidays
- Provide salt-free grit and snow shovels
- Have every call-out documented
- Check regularly that clearing has been done
Hand over winter service in Düsseldorf
Fresh Flush takes care of winter service for residential complexes, commercial properties and hotels in Düsseldorf, Neuss, Meerbusch and the surrounding area. We clear and grit in line with the bylaw and document every call-out with photos. For property managers, we bundle all buildings with one contact. Request a free quote now.
