Did you know that legally, Edmonton residents must keep the sidewalks in front of their house free of snow and ice in the wintertime
Most Edmontonians do already know that keeping your walkways shovelled is best practice, but simply aren’t in-the-know about some of the incredibly important details.
Here is a quick guide with the most important information about Edmonton’s icy sidewalks bylaws, so that you’ll know when to remove your snow, what needs to be shovelled, and what to do when someone neglects their duties.
You Have 48 Hours to Clear the Snow
Many Edmonton residents believe that snow needs to be removed within 24 hours, but the City allows a 48 hour grace period to clear away snow.
This helps residents with busy schedules get to their snow shovelling duties easier without being in violation of City bylaws.
Remember, however, snow can quickly become packed, turning into hard-to-remove ice, the longer it’s left on the sidewalk and driveway.
Snow Removal is Regulated Through Complaints
If you notice someone in your neighbourhood hasn’t cleared away their snow within the 48 hour grace period, you can call the City of Edmonton and lodge a complaint.
The City doesn’t employ people to wander the streets looking for violations, they instead employ a small number of inspectors who confirm complaints made by residents.
Don’t expect a ticket to arrive at someone’s home magically; you have to be proactive and call.
Everyone Gets One Strike Per Season
When a complaint is lodged with the City, they send out an inspector to investigate.
If the snow is indeed not removed, then the inspector will issue a warning.
The home owner, or person responsible for snow removal, then has seven days to remove the snow.
The inspector returns in seven days and, if the snow isn’t removed, the property owner is issued a ticket.
Subsequent complaints for that year result in a ticket.
No seven-day period, just another ticket.
Roofs and Awnings are Included
When it comes to snow removal, most people only think about the sidewalks and driveways, never thinking to look up at their home.
If you have an awning or roof that hangs over the sidewalk or driveway, basically the paths that people need to take to walk by or up to your property, then that snow needs to be removed as well.
This is to reduce the chances of snow or ice falling onto a passerby, which could lead to serious injuries and a potential lawsuit for the property owner.
Snow on the roof can be removed with an extended pole, but must be done with extreme caution.
Snow removal bylaws in Edmonton can seem complicated, but they’re actually quite simple.
When it snows, you have two days to remove the snow from sidewalks and driveways.
After that, you could receive a complaint that can result in a fine.
However, there can be other consequences as well, like lawsuits that result from injuries, which could be a much more substantial financial burden than a simple fine.
Be sure to keep your walkways well-maintained this winter season for the safety of you, your family, and your neighbourhood.
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