In Vancouver, commercial property owners and tenants are legally required to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property by 10:00 AM every day. Failing to clear adjacent sidewalks can result in city fines starting at $250 CAD (up to $750 CAD if left uncleared for over 24 hours), while neglecting your private premises exposes you to slip-and-fall lawsuits under the BC Occupiers Liability Act.
While Metro Vancouver is generally known for its mild, rainy winters, sudden snowstorms and freezing temperatures do occur. When the weather turns dangerous, maintaining your commercial property is not just about keeping your storefront looking professional; it is a strict legal obligation. Whether you operate a retail shop on Robson Street, a warehouse in Burnaby, or an office complex in Surrey, you must prioritize public safety.
Business operators face liability from two different directions. 🚨 First, municipal by-laws issue rapid fines for failing to clear public pathways. Second, and far more expensive, the provincial Occupiers Liability Act holds you financially responsible if a customer, delivery driver, or pedestrian slips and injures themselves on your premises. Understanding these laws helps protect your business from devastating legal claims.
Step-by-Step Process in British Columbia
Protecting yourself from fines and civil lawsuits requires proactive maintenance and thorough documentation. Your local civil litigation lawyer will always advise that proving you took “reasonable care” is the absolute best defence against a slip-and-fall claim.
Step 1: Determine Legal Responsibility
Before the winter season begins, review your commercial lease agreement. 📄 Most commercial spaces in BC use a Triple Net (NNN) lease, meaning the tenant is completely responsible for all property maintenance, including snow removal and salting. Do not assume the landlord will handle it.
Step 2: Comply with the 10:00 AM Municipal By-law
The City of Vancouver’s Street and Traffic By-Law dictates that you must clear snow and ice from the entire width of the public sidewalk in front of and alongside your business by 10:00 AM every morning. This rule applies seven days a week, even if your business is closed on weekends or statutory holidays.
Step 3: Secure the Private Premises
Beyond the public sidewalk, you must maintain your private property, such as parking lots, entryways, and loading docks. 🚗 This is where the BC Occupiers Liability Act strictly applies, and business operators owe a full duty of care to anyone entering their premises. You are required to apply salt or sand to prevent ice formation. Using high-quality de-icing products prevents water from refreezing overnight, a common cause of severe injuries.
Step 4: Keep a Maintenance Log
If someone falls and sues your business, you need evidence. Keep a daily written log detailing exactly what time the snow was cleared, what time salt was applied, and who performed the work. If you hire a professional snow removal company, keep all invoices and contracts on file.
How Much Does it Cost in Vancouver?
Ignoring snow removal is incredibly risky and financially draining. The cost of prevention is vastly lower than the cost of a personal injury lawsuit.
| City of Vancouver Snow Removal Fine | $250 CAD (up to $750 CAD if uncleared for >24 hours) |
| Commercial Snow Clearing Contract | $500 – $1,500+ CAD per month |
| Commercial General Liability Insurance | Varies by business size/risk |
| Lawyer Retainer (Slip & Fall Defence) | $5,000 – $20,000+ CAD |
As of April 2026, the courts in British Columbia frequently award tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages to victims of slip-and-fall accidents, covering lost wages and physical rehabilitation. 💰 Proper insurance and maintenance logs are your only shield.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Municipal by-law enforcement is immediate; by-law officers patrol the city during snow events and will issue tickets the very same day if sidewalks are not clear by 10:00 AM. Conversely, if someone slips and sues your business, civil litigation is a marathon. A personal injury lawsuit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia generally takes 2 to 4 years to reach a settlement or go to trial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I be sued if someone slips on the public city sidewalk?
Generally, no. In the landmark case Der v. Zhao, the BC Court of Appeal ruled that commercial and residential property owners do not owe a civil duty of care to pedestrians on public municipal sidewalks, meaning you cannot be held civilly liable under the Occupiers Liability Act for slips on a city-owned sidewalk, even if you failed to comply with the snow-clearing by-law. However, you still face municipal by-law fines, and you remain fully liable for any slips that occur on your actual private property, such as your private entrance, parking lot, or walkways.
Does a “Slippery When Wet” sign protect me from lawsuits?
A warning sign is helpful to show you took some level of care, but it is not a “get out of jail free” card. Under the Occupiers Liability Act, you must take active, reasonable steps to fix the hazard, such as mopping up water or laying down salt.
Who pays the fine: the commercial landlord or the tenant?
The city can issue the fine to the registered property owner, the tenant, or both. However, most commercial leases dictate that the tenant is responsible for paying any municipal fines incurred due to the tenant’s failure to maintain the property.
What happens if I am away on vacation when it snows?
The law does not accept being away as an excuse. As a business operator, you have a legal duty to arrange for a contractor, an employee, or a property manager to handle snow and ice removal in your absence.
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