SASKATOON – With the first significant snowfall of the season expected this weekend, city officials are reminding people about Saskatoon’s sidewalk clearing bylaw. Residential sidewalks need to be cleared of snow and ice within 48 hours with some commercial and suburban areas needing to be cleared within 24 hours.
Read more: Snow, freezing rain expected for central Saskatchewan this weekend
Last winter, the city received 550 reports of uncleared sidewalks. Close to 90 per cent were cleared within 48 hours of home and business owners receiving a visit from a bylaw inspector.
“Clearing sidewalks quickly after a snowfall makes it easier and safer for people to move around, and improves accessibility for wheelchair users and citizens with limited mobility,” says Angela Gardiner, the city’s director of transportation.”
If the city ends up clearing the sidewalk, the cost will be tacked on to the property tax notice. A first offence carries a fine of $100 while a second offence is $200. Those will be discounted $75 and $150 respectively if paid within 14 days. Fines for third and subsequent offences range from $200 to $1,000 for individuals and up to $2,000 for a corporation with no discount.
Not everyone is able to clear their sidewalk and the city is asking for ‘Snow Angels’ to help the elderly, those with health concerns or mobility restrictions.
The city is also working with defined business improvement districts to coordination snow removal. This year, certain businesses with no storage space on their property will be allowed to shovel snow in the curb lane which will then be removed as part of priority street clearing following a snow event.
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