The first significant winter storm has hit Columbus, Ohio, blanketing sidewalks in snow. City regulations dictate that property owners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property. Failure to do so could result in fines and jail time if snow is pushed into the street, obstructing traffic.
The first significant winter storm of the year has covered Columbus sidewalks with snow. The job to remove Mother Nature’s mess is the responsibility of the occupant or owner of the property next to the sidewalk, according to city code. If the sidewalk cannot be completely cleared, then city code states snow and ice can be covered with sand or other substance that makes the sidewalk safe and convenient. Don’t push snow and ice from your driveway or sidewalk into the street.
If it impedes safe travel, then that could result in a third-degree misdemeanor, 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500, according to city code. However, staff at the Columbus City Attorney’s Office said no one has been cited under this portion of the city code in the last year, and couldn’t recall any previous enforced violations. “Living in Ohio during the winter has its inherent dangers,” the Ohio Supreme Court. “Recognizing this, we have previously rejected the notion that a landowner owes a duty to the general public to remove natural accumulations of ice and snow from public sidewalks which abut the landowner's premises, even where a city ordinance requires the landowner to keep the sidewalks free of ice and snow.” Questions about liability arise when the slick conditions become worse due to additional circumstances, OSU Moritz College of Law Professor Sarah Cole said. “For example, something like having running water that flows onto the sidewalk,” Cole said. “There’s no liability as long as the snow and ice are naturally occurring.” Check with your local government to determine sidewalk regulations in additional central Ohio communities
WINTER STORM SNOW COLUMBUS SIDEWALKS CITY REGULATIONS
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