What is the purpose of the snow removal ordinance?
The goal of this ordinance is to maintain safe, passable sidewalks for the public to travel after winter storms.
What does the ordinance require me to do?
Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to all sides of their property. The ordinance requires that a 48-inch path be cleared for the full frontage of the property.
For properties adjacent to an intersection or public crosswalk, a path must be cleared to the street. This requirement is effective after a winter storm event of 2 inches or greater of snow or a declared ice event.
How will I know when these requirements are effective?
The City's Public Works Director will make an official declaration and send it to all news media outlets for an announcement. Residents can also visit the City's website for announcements. Property owners can request to be added to an email notification list by contacting the Urbana Public Works Department at 217-384-2342.
What if it takes multiple storms to reach the 2-inch threshold?
The Public Works Director will determine when the official declaration will be made, signaling property owners to begin clearing adjacent sidewalks.
How much time will I have to shovel the snow or clear the ice, sleet, or freezing rain?
You will have 24 hours to clear sidewalks after the public announcement by the Public Works Director.
Where am I expected to put the snow?
You are expected to store the snow on your property if possible. Otherwise, snow may be placed in the parkway between the sidewalk and the street curb. For streets with on-street parking, cleared snow must not prevent access to vehicles and parking meters. Depositing snow onto City streets is prohibited.
What if I can't clear off the snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain because it has become too hard?
If snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain has become so hard that the property owner cannot reasonably remove it, they are responsible for spreading sand or other abrasive material on the sidewalk to make travel safe. The property owner must maintain the sidewalk in such condition until the weather permits the removal of the snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain.
Will the City of Urbana comply with this requirement?
Yes. The City of Urbana will clear all sidewalks adjacent to City-owned properties.
How much of the sidewalk do I need to clear?
You are required to clear the full width of the sidewalk, or 48 inches (4 feet), whichever width is smaller. You must clear the entire length of your property. Property owners on corner lots are also required to shovel paths to the nearest crosswalks.
What if I am out of town when it snows or I am physically unable to shovel?
Property owners are expected to have arrangements in place to clear adjacent sidewalks if they are unable to personally attend to the matter.
What if the snowplow pushes snow back onto the sidewalks?
Typically, the declaration to clear sidewalks will be made around the time that street plowing activities are completed. The ordinance states that owners must maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably clear manner after the initial clearance, so the property owner would need to clear the sidewalk again.
Does the passage of this ordinance increase civil liability?
The weight of legal authority, including the Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act 745 ILCS 75/1, indicates that the ordinance itself imposes no additional civil liability on individuals for shoveling snow. Like any legal question, there is no absolute answer that fits all circumstances.
What areas are covered by the three snow removal districts?
Please see the Sidewalk Snow and Ice Clearance Requirements page.
Do other communities have this requirement?
Yes, many cities in Illinois and other Midwestern states with a population of more than 25,000 residents have similar requirements.
What are the penalties for failing to clear the sidewalk?
If a property owner fails to clear snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain, the City or its contractor will do it. After the City completes the work, the City will bill the property owner for the cost plus a fine and administrative costs. Fines start at $25 for a first offense, and administrative fees are set at $55.
Will property owners be warned before the City clears the sidewalk?
The City will provide one warning per winter storm season to each property owner before clearing the sidewalk. A warning may come in the form of a personal visit, door hanger, or phone call. Such a warning gives the property owner an additional 24 hours before the City clears the sidewalk.
Who should people call to ask questions or to make a complaint?
Call the Environmental Compliance Officer at the Urbana Community Development Services Department at 217-384-2416 during regular business hours.