Aurora Residential Snow Plowing Services

Aurora Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Residential snow removal in Aurora is governed by the city ordinance, adopted under authority in the Illinois Municipal Code, Division 80 of Article 11 (65 ILCS 5/11-80-1 et seq.). Illinois has no statewide sanitary or housing code that sets a general residential snow-clearing deadline. Aurora's local rules control.

Under Aurora snow-plowing ordinances, persons who own, occupy, or control property in the area covered by Section 42-11(c) must remove snow, ice, and other obstructions from abutting paved sidewalks. When packed snow or ice cannot be removed, abrasive material must be applied within 48 hours after snowfall or freezing precipitation. The published ordinance does not state a citywide minimum path width or an overnight-snow rule.

• Public sidewalk: Keep the abutting paved sidewalk clear where Section 42-11(c) applies.
• Ice: Remove it when practicable, or apply abrasive material within the stated 48-hour period when it is too hard to remove.
• Entrances and steps: Keep private walks, stairs, and entrances passable for household members, visitors, deliveries, and emergency access.

The Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act (745 ILCS 75) encourages residential owners and occupants to clear abutting sidewalks. A residential owner, lessor, occupant, or person in charge who removes or attempts to remove snow or ice is generally protected from injury claims unless the conduct is willful or wanton.

Aurora Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Aurora's published snow ordinance establishes prohibited conduct and sidewalk duties, but the city snow pages do not publish a separate residential fine schedule by building size. A violation may be enforced under the applicable municipal code provision. Section 42-6 also permits removal of an obstruction after 10 days' notice, or without notice when an urgent public health and safety threat exists.

• Sidewalk noncompliance: Section 42-11(c) applies to owners, occupants, and persons controlling covered property. The city does not publish a snow-specific amount on its ordinance page.
• Snow deposits: Section 42-11 makes it unlawful to place snow from a driveway, sidewalk, parking area, or other premises onto a street or alley.
• Parking violations: After 2 inches of snowfall, vehicles must remain off city streets until plows clear snow to the curb. Violators may be ticketed or towed.

Report a nonemergency street-maintenance or unsafe-condition concern through myAurora 311, or call 311 or 630-256-4636. Aurora states that parking tickets may be contested at an administrative hearing, but its snow ordinance page does not identify a separate adjudication route for sidewalk or snow-deposit citations.

Illinois Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

Illinois has no statewide statute that expressly assigns all residential snow and ice removal work to landlords. For Aurora rentals, the duty can arise from the city sidewalk ordinance, the written lease, and general property-maintenance responsibilities. Aurora's published snow rule places the sidewalk duty on a person owning, occupying, or controlling covered property.

• Multi-unit buildings and common areas: A landlord or association that controls shared walks, entrances, stairs, and parking areas should maintain those areas for safe access.
• Single-family rentals: A lease may assign routine shoveling to a tenant, particularly for areas the tenant exclusively uses.
• Tenant duties: Tenants should follow written lease terms and avoid placing snow into a street, alley, or public sidewalk.
• Negligence waivers: Under Landlord and Tenant Act, Section 1 (765 ILCS 705/1), a residential lease clause that exempts a landlord from liability for the landlord's own negligence in operating or maintaining the premises is void.

The Snow and Ice Removal Act names both lessors and occupants among the people protected when they make a good-faith residential clearing effort. That protection does not apply to commercial property. A tenant with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, including a cleared accessible route or accessible parking space, under the Fair Housing Act overview. Housing rights information is also available from the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Aurora Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied homes should keep access routes usable from the public sidewalk to private driveways, steps, and doors. The residential protection in 745 ILCS 75 applies to good-faith clearing, but snow piled where it melts and refreezes across a walk can create an unnatural accumulation issue under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130).

• Private access: Clear driveways, walks, outdoor stairs, stoops, porches, and entrances.
• Traction: Use salt, sand, or another traction material where ice remains.
• Drainage: Watch downspouts and runoff that cross a walk and can refreeze.
• Emergency access: Keep routes near utility equipment and fire hydrants free of obstructing snow where practicable.

City plows may leave a windrow across a driveway entrance. Aurora's Aurora snow plowing information states that residents are responsible for clearing driveways and should place snow in the yard, not in the street. Aurora operates 35 snow routes and prioritizes primary streets before residential streets during heavy snowfall.

• Street progress: Monitor city plowing information before final driveway-apron clearing. Snow-plowing status is available at 630-256-3680.
• Snow storage: Keep snow on the owner's yard, away from streets, alleys, and sidewalks.
• Street parking: Remove vehicles from Aurora streets after 2 inches of snowfall until plows have cleared to the curb.

For nonemergency reporting, use myAurora 311 or call 311 or 630-256-4636.

Residential Properties Throughout Aurora Neighborhoods

Northeast Community Group: This official Ward 1 neighborhood-group area includes established residential blocks with sidewalks and on-street parking. Residents should preserve pedestrian routes and avoid narrowing streets with driveway snow piles.

Downtown Aurora: Downtown contains apartments, condominiums, historic homes, and mixed residential blocks. Shared entrances, limited snow storage, sidewalks, and nearby transit routes require prompt coordination among owners and property managers.

Near East Side: Near East Side residential areas include older detached homes and multi-unit properties. Narrow lots, front walks, and shared access points make clear sidewalk and stair routes especially important.

Pigeon Hill: Pigeon Hill has established homes on streets where grades and winter runoff can affect walkways. Owners should watch for refreezing at steps, driveways, and downspout discharge areas.

West Side: West Side neighborhoods include single-family homes, two-flats, and residential streets with driveways and sidewalks. Snow should remain on private property rather than being pushed across public walks or into the roadway.

Hometown: Hometown includes established residential properties with close-set homes and pedestrian connections. Landlords and tenants should identify lease duties for private walks while maintaining clear shared access areas.

Georgetown Neighbors Group: This official Ward 8 neighborhood-group area includes residential development with homeowner association and shared-area considerations. Associations and owners should define responsibility for common walks, parking areas, and accessible routes before winter weather arrives.