COLUMBUS, Oh. (WOWO) — As winter weather moves in, legal experts are clarifying a question that comes up every year: can a homeowner be held liable if someone slips and falls on an unshoveled sidewalk?

According to the Ohio State University College of Law, the answer under state tort law is generally no. Snow and ice that accumulate naturally are considered “open and obvious” hazards, and the Ohio Supreme Court has repeatedly held that homeowners — and even business owners — have no legal duty to remove natural accumulations from sidewalks.

That means a property owner typically cannot be held responsible for injuries unless they create or worsen the hazard through their own actions according to WBNS 10-TV.

However, the absence of state liability does not override local requirements.
Many cities and towns have ordinances directing residents to keep sidewalks clear. In Columbus, city code requires both homeowners and businesses to remove snow. In Delaware, property owners are prohibited from allowing snow and ice to accumulate “to the annoyance of the public.”

Local governments can issue warnings or citations for failing to comply, even though liability in a civil lawsuit may not apply.

Officials say the best approach is to stay informed about community rules — and when possible, keep walkways clear for neighborhood safety.