Where can snow be placed and what is a snow disposal site?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB5 min read
Short answer
Where can snow be placed when a courtyard or plot is cleared, and what does it mean to take the snow to a snow disposal site?
Snow that is shovelled or ploughed should be placed so that it doesn't block driveways, footpaths, fire access routes or sightlines at junctions, and doesn't run towards building foundations, and it must never be placed on a neighbour's plot or on a street or pavement without the municipality's permission. When a courtyard, block or property no longer has room to pile up more snow, it is instead taken away to a snow disposal site, a designated location where lorries empty snow masses to melt under controlled conditions. Service Plus arranges both on-site piling and removal to a disposal site as part of the winter agreement.
Where can snow be placed on your own plot?
Snow should be placed where it neither blocks sightlines, blocks a driveway, nor runs towards a building foundation as it melts. On a house plot it is usually possible to pile the snow in a corner of the garden or along a lawn, but on a courtyard belonging to a housing cooperative (BRF) with many residents, bicycles, prams and parking spaces, the space for snow piles runs out quickly.
Snow must never be shovelled onto a neighbour's plot or out onto a street or pavement without the municipality's permission, as this can create slippery surfaces and obstacles for others. At entrances and junctions, piles should be kept low enough for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists.
- Not in front of fire hydrants, electrical cabinets or the property's own fire evacuation route
- Not so that meltwater runs towards a foundation, basement stairs or garage entrance
- Not on parking spaces used daily by residents
- Not on public land, streets or pavements without the municipality's permission
- Not against a neighbour's property boundary without an agreement
What is a snow disposal site and how does it work?
A snow disposal site is a designated location where snow that no longer fits on a courtyard or property is transported by lorry to be piled up and melted under more controlled conditions. The site is often a large open area of ground where meltwater can be collected and treated before being released further, since snow from streets and courtyards contains road salt, grit and litter that shouldn't run straight into the stormwater system.
For a house with its own plot, a snow disposal site is rarely needed, as the snow can usually be piled up and left to melt on-site during spring. For blocks, housing cooperatives (BRFs) and property companies with large paved areas and limited green space, it is far more common that some of the snow needs to be taken away during a heavy snow winter.
When is removal to a snow disposal site needed instead of piling on the courtyard?
The need arises when snow piles take over areas that need to stay accessible, such as parking spaces, access for refuse collection or escape routes. Service Plus assesses on site how much snow can be left in place and when it's time to remove some of it.
- The courtyard's parking or play areas are completely taken over by snow piles
- Visibility at entrances and exits becomes too poor for drivers and pedestrians
- Meltwater from tall piles risks running into basements or garages
- Several snowfalls in a row without a thaw in between mean the snow just keeps building up
What affects the cost of snow handling and removal?
The cost depends on how large a volume of snow needs to be moved, how far it is to the nearest disposal site, and how easily a lorry can access the property. Service Plus always provides a free on-site assessment before work begins, so the cooperative or homeowner knows what to expect before the invoice arrives.
It's worth knowing that the RUT deduction applies to the shovelling work itself but not to transport and removal of the snow masses, which follows the same principle as for garden waste.
- The volume of snow and how densely packed the pile is
- The distance to a designated snow disposal site
- How large and heavy a lorry can access the courtyard
- Whether the work is done continuously through the season or as a one-off callout
How Service Plus handles the snow on your courtyard
Skottis and the team plan where the snow should be placed from the very first snowfall, so the piles don't need to be moved unnecessarily later in the winter. We bring our own equipment, continuously assess how much space remains on the courtyard, and take snow to a disposal site when needed to keep parking areas, paths and escape routes accessible.
Private individuals receive a RUT deduction of up to 50 percent of the labour cost for the shovelling itself, deducted directly on the invoice, while transport to a disposal site is invoiced separately. Get in touch with Service Plus Stockholm AB for a free quote within 24 hours, and we'll go through what suits your courtyard or property.
Common follow-up questions
Can you place snow on a neighbour's plot?
No, snow must not be shovelled onto a neighbour's plot without explicit agreement, as this can cause damage and disputes.
Can you take your own snow to a public place or street?
No, public land and streets are not intended for private snow storage, and the municipality's permission or a designated disposal site is required to place snow there.
Does removal of snow to a disposal site qualify for the RUT deduction?
No, the RUT deduction only applies to the work of shovelling and clearing snow, not to transport and emptying at a disposal site.
How do I know if my courtyard needs snow removal this winter?
Service Plus assesses this on site based on how much snow falls and how much space remains on the courtyard, and proposes removal once the piles start taking over important areas.
