What a beautiful crisp white morning it is out there. And we have just a friendly reminder that it’s District law that residents have to clear the sidewalk in front of their property
From the D.C. Snow Removals brochure:
Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks?
District law requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, handicap ramps and steps abutting their property within the first eight daylight hours after the snow, sleet or ice stops falling. This applies to all property owners – residential, commercial, federal, and municipal. If ice cannot be cleared without damaging the sidewalk, then property owners may spread sand or salt to make the sidewalks safe. Property owners also must clear snow from the ADA-curb cuts; these are part of the sidewalk. Property owners are asked to clear snow from catch basins and storm drains to prevent flooding during snow melt.
According to a very tired but happy man carrying a snow shovel in Safeway yesterday afternoon, the going rate is $15 to clear your property. He said it generally takes him about 15 minutes.
A quick walk to Eastern Market this afternoon proved that people are definitely not following the law.
So many people don’t shovel their walks and it’s very frustrating, and dangerous. I would love to see the city find a way to enforce it.
I’d be happy if the city took care of their properties. We took a walk yesterday the hardest blocks were the ones with schools on them. Not to mention the Old Naval Hospital.
Thanks Tim for posting that. As I walked about doing errands yesterday I wondered why the city hadn’t shoveled the walks at Watkins School. Also, I am wondering about all the sidewalks around the small parks. I think these are DC parks, but even if they are Federal, someone should shovel the walks! It’s really hard to get around. If residents can get tickets per law then the government should set a good example.