Every winter the snow starts to fall. The worry begins. You stand by the window watching the flakes pile up on your property and you ask yourself: who is supposed to clean this up? Is it my job or the tenant’s job? This question, about who has to shovel snow in a Calgary rental, is one of the common and confusing issues in Calgary rental property management.
It’s easy to figure out when you’re dealing with a single-family home. When you have multiple units, shared walkways or unclear lease language, things get messy fast. And here’s the hard truth: the City of Calgary doesn’t care what your lease says. The city only cares that the sidewalks and walkways are cleared.
In this guide I’ll explain what the law says, what your lease should say and what happens when no one steps up to do the work.
The Alberta Law That Doesn’t Actually Tell You Anything
Let’s start with the reality. The Residential Tenancies Act of Alberta covers aspects of renting in the province.. When it comes to snow removal and lawn care the law stays quiet. It doesn’t say who is responsible. That means the answer doesn’t come from the law; it comes from your lease agreement.
The Residential Tenancies Act does set rules about habitability and repairs. Snow removal? That’s left for you and your tenant to decide. As one lawyer said, “Snow removal and lawn care responsibilities are usually defined in your lease agreement.”
This lack of law gives you flexibility but also creates risk. If you don’t spell out responsibilities in the lease, you could end up doing the work and paying the fines, even if you thought your tenant was supposed to handle it.
The City of Calgary's Take: Someone Be Shovelling
Now let’s talk about the city. The City of Calgary has rules that don’t care about your lease. Under Bylaw 20M88, property owners must clear sidewalks in front of their property and any pathways next to their property down to pavement within 24 hours after a snowfall ends.
If you fail to do this, you can be fined. The fine is $250 for an offence. A second offence brings a $500 fine. A third offence within 12 months means you’re looking at a $750 penalty.
The city will hold the property owner accountable. That means if the sidewalk isn’t cleared, the city will send a ticket to you, regardless of what your lease says. You can’t say, “I told my tenant to do it.” The city doesn’t care. They’ll fine you. Then it’s up to you to get that money back, only if your lease allows it.
Single-Family Homes: The Tenant Usually Gets the Shovel
If you rent out a single-family house, the tenant usually takes on the job of snow removal. That makes sense. The tenant lives there. They use the driveway and the walkway. It’s logical to expect them to keep those areas clear.
But here’s the key: you must put this in writing. If your lease doesn’t say the tenant is responsible, they aren’t automatically responsible. You can’t rely on a handshake or a spoken agreement. You need to include language in the lease that states the tenant must clear the snow.
For example, you might write: “The tenant is responsible for clearing snow from all walkways, driveways and private areas within 24 hours after a snowfall.”
Without this you have no basis to make the tenant do it.
Multi-Unit Buildings: The Landlord's Domain
Things get more complicated in multi-unit buildings. In apartments or condos, the landlord is legally required to keep common areas clean. This includes sidewalks, entrances, stairs, and parking lots.
The Residential Tenancies Act says landlords must maintain these areas within a certain time after a snowfall. That means the landlord needs to arrange for snow removal in shared spaces.
This makes sense. In a building with more than one unit, no single tenant should be in charge of the main walkway. The landlord is the one who owns the property so they’re responsible for keeping the areas safe and accessible.
What About Areas Like Balconies and Parking Stalls?
Tenants are usually responsible for clearing snow from spaces like balconies private entrances and assigned parking stalls. Only if the lease says so.
The key phrase here is “if the lease says so.” If your lease doesn’t mention it, the tenant may not be obligated.
Shared areas are usually the landlord’s responsibility. If you want to assign outdoor tasks to tenants, you can, just make sure it’s written down.
Protecting Yourself: What Every Lease Should Include
Given all of this, here’s what I recommend every Calgary landlord include in their lease agreement:
First, be specific. In single-family homes, clearly state that the tenant is responsible for snow removal on all walkways, driveways and private areas. Don’t assume the tenant knows.
Second, be clear about multi-unit buildings. Say that the landlord handles areas.. If tenants are responsible for balconies or private entrances, make that clear in the lease.
Third, don’t rely on agreements. A conversation doesn’t count in court. Everything must be in writing.
Fourth, know your obligations. The city will hold you accountable for sidewalk snow removal. Plan for it, even if your lease says the tenant is responsible.
Finally, consider hiring help. Many landlords contract snow removal services. Pass the cost to tenants through rent or as a separate charge.
What Happens When Nobody Clears the Snow?
If snow isn’t cleared and someone slips and falls, the consequences can be serious. Slip and fall claims in Alberta can lead to financial payouts.
Municipalities hold property owners responsible for keeping sidewalks clear. That includes units, owner-occupied Calgary rentals, and even vacant properties.
The smart move? Don’t wait until winter hits to figure out who’s responsible. Get it in writing. Make sure both you and your tenant understand what’s expected before the snow starts falling.
Conclusion
Understanding snow removal obligations for Calgary landlords and tenants is one of the important things you can do as a property owner. The Residential Tenancies Act does not assign responsibility; your lease does. The City of Calgary will hold you accountable no matter what your lease says.
Clear leases protect everyone. They set expectations, prevent disputes and help you avoid fines. Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, knowing who’s responsible for what can save you from a winter of stress, and maybe even a few costly accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The responsibility depends on your lease and the type of property. For single-family homes, tenants are usually responsible. For multi-unit buildings, landlords are typically responsible for common areas. The City of Calgary holds property owners accountable for sidewalks.
No. The RTA does not specifically assign responsibility for snow removal or lawn care. Instead, your signed lease or tenancy agreement determines who must handle these tasks.
Yes. Landlords can legally transfer snow removal duties to tenants by adding clauses in the lease agreement.
Property owners must clear sidewalks to their property down to bare pavement within 24 hours from the end of the last snowfall. Fines start at $250 for an offence.
Landlords are usually responsible for keeping areas, entrances, stairs and parking lots clear. Tenants may be responsible for areas like balconies if specified in the lease.
The property owner can face liability for a slip. Fall claims. Municipalities hold property owners for keeping sidewalks snow-free regardless of whether the property is rented or vacant.
Co-Founder & Director
Hafil Perincheeri is an engineer-turned-realtor, investor, and builder based in Calgary, Canada. As Co-Founder and Director of Greencasa, he specializes in home flips, property development, and investment strategies. Since 2019, he has guided clients in home buying, multifamily investing, and financing options like CMHC and MLI Select, ensuring transparent, informed decisions.