It's the time of year when snow removal is an issue for everyone. It is important to remove snow from sidewalks. Clear sidewalks benefit everyone, and many people such as the elderly or those with disabilities can find it difficult if not impossible to negotiate a snow-filled sidewalk.
I'm a big advocate of having everyone do their share of shoveling. No one wants to hear someone complain about the condition of their walk when the complainer clearly hasn't made an effort to shovel. I know a guy who shovels his whole block, then goes around his neighborhood looking for walks to shovel. His rationale is that everyone has a responsibility to do their fair share- and he is right.
Chicago Muni Code section 10-8-180 requires:
Every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground in the city abutting upon any public way or public place shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of such building or lot of ground.
If the sidewalk is of greater width than five feet, it shall not be necessary for such person to remove snow and ice from the same for a space wider than five feet.
In case the snow and ice on the sidewalk shall be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without injury to the pavement, the person having charge of any building or lot of ground as aforesaid shall, within the time specified, cause the sidewalk abutting on the said premises to be strewn with ashes, sand, sawdust, or some similar suitable material, and shall, as soon thereafter as the weather shall permit, thoroughly clean said sidewalk.
The snow which falls or accumulates during the day (excepting Sundays) before four p.m. shall be removed within three hours after the same has fallen or accumulated. The snow which falls or accumulates on Sunday or after four p.m. and during the night on other days shall be removed before ten a.m.
So to review:
- Persons having charge of a building (lessees included) must remove snow and ice.
- Remove snow within 3 hours if snow falls before 4:00pm except Sundays, otherwise it must be done by 10:00am the following day.
- Ice and snow so frozen it cannot be removed must be strewn with ashes, sawdust, sand or other suitable material.