Operating a business in Quebec means accepting certain legal responsibilities, and winter property maintenance is among the most significant. Snow and ice management is not optional for commercial property owners and tenants—it is a legal obligation with serious consequences for non-compliance. Understanding these requirements helps Laval business owners protect their operations, customers, and bottom line.
Municipal Snow Removal Bylaws in Laval
The City of Laval requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within specified timeframes after a snowfall ends. Failure to comply can result in fines. Commercial properties face stricter enforcement because of the higher volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic they generate. Additionally, commercial property owners must ensure that snow removed from their property is not deposited on public roads, sidewalks, or neighboring properties without permission.
Civil Liability Under Quebec Law
Under the Civil Code of Quebec, property owners and occupiers have a general duty of care to maintain safe premises. Article 1457 establishes that every person has a duty to abide by the rules of conduct incumbent on them so as not to cause injury to another. For commercial property owners, this translates into an obligation to take reasonable measures to prevent slip-and-fall accidents caused by snow and ice.
Quebec courts have consistently held that commercial property owners must have a snow and ice management plan, must implement it diligently, and must be able to demonstrate through documentation that they did so. Simply hiring a snow removal contractor is not sufficient—the property owner must ensure the contractor is performing adequately and maintain records of that performance.
Insurance Considerations
Commercial general liability insurance policies typically require property owners to maintain safe premises. Failure to perform adequate snow and ice management can result in denied claims if an incident occurs. Additionally, some insurers require that commercial snow removal contractors carry minimum liability limits and name the property owner as an additional insured on the contractor policy. White Shovel carries comprehensive commercial liability insurance and routinely provides certificates of insurance to commercial clients.
Documentation Requirements
In the event of a slip-and-fall claim, the property owner must be able to demonstrate that reasonable snow and ice management was performed. This requires documentation: dated service records showing when clearing and ice control occurred, what was done, and by whom. GPS-verified timestamps and photographs provide the strongest evidence. White Shovel commercial contracts include detailed digital service logs meeting these documentation standards.
Protect your Laval business with compliant snow removal. Learn about commercial services or call (438) 834-1155.
Related Services: Learn about our residential snow removal and commercial snow clearing services across Laval. Get a free quote today.
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