How Do Commercial Properties Handle Snow Liability?

3 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Winter liability is a serious concern for commercial property owners in London, Ontario, and how a business handles snow and ice removal can directly affect its exposure to slip-and-fall claims.

Under Ontario law, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to keep premises reasonably safe, which includes clearing snow and ice within a reasonable timeframe. Courts consider factors like how quickly a property was cleared after a storm, whether a maintenance contract was in place, and whether hazards were addressed promptly.

Many commercial properties reduce their liability exposure by signing a written snow removal contract with a professional company. A documented contract, along with service logs showing when a property was cleared and salted, gives a business real evidence that it acted responsibly if a claim is ever made.

Regular parking lot and walkway inspections during a storm, not just a single visit, also matter. Properties with high foot traffic, like retail stores or medical offices, often need more frequent monitoring and touch-ups throughout an active storm.

At Thames Valley Snow, every visit is documented with a timestamped photo, we carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, are WSIB registered, and are an LPMA member, giving London property owners a clear record of the work through the winter.

The 60-Day Notice Rule in Ontario

Ontario amended the Occupiers' Liability Act so that, for injuries caused by snow or ice on private property on or after January 1, 2021, the injured person generally must give written notice within 60 days. There are exceptions, so get legal advice for any specific claim. For owners, the practical lesson is to keep records organized and accessible, because a notice can arrive weeks after the storm.

What Good Documentation Looks Like

We send a timestamped photo after every visit, which gives owners and managers a simple, searchable record.

Get the Scope in Writing

Disputes after a fall often come down to who was responsible for a specific area. Your contract should list every lot area, sidewalk, ramp, entrance and stairway, state what triggers service, and say whether salting is included. Make sure salting covers freezing rain and refreeze, not only snowfall. Mark curbs, drains and steps before the season so nothing is missed.

Check Your Contractor's Insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance and WSIB clearance before the season, and consider being named as an additional insured. Keep these with your property file.

Inspect Between Visits

Snow contractors handle the snow, but conditions change between visits. Assign a staff member to walk entrances, ramps and the most-used paths each morning and after any thaw, and to report drips from awnings or downspouts that refreeze into ice patches. Keep a bucket of ice melt by the main door for small spots, and log each check with the time. Simple internal records, combined with your contractor's visit photos, show that hazards were taken seriously throughout the day, not only when the plow came by.

Keep those logs for at least as long as your insurer and lawyer recommend.

FAQ

Does a contract transfer all liability to the snow contractor?

Not necessarily. Owners and occupiers usually keep duties of their own. Talk to your lawyer and insurer about your situation.

How are commercial sites priced?

Per site, with a written quote within 2 business days.

Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. See our commercial snow removal and property managers pages.

What's included… and what's extra

Commercial snow service is priced per site from paved area, walkway length and opening time. A typical contract includes plowing at the agreed trigger depth, clearing before opening, hand-cleared entrances, sidewalks and ramps, and a timestamped photo log of every visit.

Common extras are quoted separately so you only pay for what the site needs: salting and de-icing per event, extra sidewalk or ramp coverage, after-hours or priority service, and snow relocation when piles run out of room. See commercial snow removal or request a site quote by calling or texting (548) 888-8702.