After roughly four inches of snowfall and blowing snow conditions, City of Washington administrative staff have a reminder about the city’s snow clearing rules.  After accumulation of snowfall or ice, property owners have 24 hours to clear the public sidewalks in front of their property.

Once that time has passed, if the clearing has not been done, Washington Building and Zoning Official Steve Donnelly says that the city can begin a notification process.  The city can notify the owner of a neglected sidewalk, and after two days, the city can have the sidewalk cleared themselves.  But that means the property owner would be billed, or additional property tax levied to the owner to pay for the work.  If the problem persists more than once, then more fines and penalties can apply.

Another aspect of the city law says that if snow and ice are difficult to remove because it is frozen to the sidewalk surface, then the owner must spread suitable material down to prevent a slippery surface.  Depending on the conditions, that material might be sand, salt, or ice melt.

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