Harsher fines urged for failing to clear snow from walks
Report recommends series of steep fines in attempt to motivate ‘repeat offenders’
While thoughts of falling snow are still months away for Calgarians, council is set to vote Monday on adding steep fines for those who neglect to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks.
If the vote passes, private property owners will face increasing fines for failing to remove snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall.
The report going to council recommends the first offence would bring a $250 fine, increasing to $500 for a second offence within 12 months and $750 for a third.
The current snow-clearing rules see property owners charged $150 by the city for failing to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall.
If owners skip out on the bill, the fee is added to their property tax levy.
Coun. Druh Farrell said that deterrent hasn’t been working because the fee is cheaper than hiring a snow-removal company.
“We have a lot of repeat offenders,” Farrell said. “Year after year the same addresses come through on 311.”
In June, about a dozen concerned residents — many with mobility issues — voiced safety concerns to members of council ahead of a debate on how to improve snow clearing and avoid slip-and-fall injuries.
“Even though we have fines for almost all of our bylaws, we didn’t have one for snow clearing, and it can be a life-and-death situation,” Farrell said, adding even one stretch of uncleared sidewalk is a serious safety concern for people with mobility issues.
The report notes that 89 per cent of Calgarians clear their sidewalks within the 24-hour window, and Farrell said she’s confident the new fines will increase compliance while making city sidewalks safer in the winter months.
The city has already approved a plan to speed up its own snowclearing schedule for sidewalks adjacent to city-owned properties from seven days to 24 hours.
Farrell said the change shows the city is “leading by example,” adding the double standard for city properties versus private ones has “been an irritant” to many residents.
“We all need to accept the realization that we live in a winter city, including the city as a property owner,” Farrell said.
The city said there are 5,700 kilometres of walkways and sidewalks that require clearing by citizens or businesses, and an additional 320 kilometres of sidewalks under the city’s responsibility.
Bureaucrats warned the new fines for snow and ice complaints could create a heavy caseload for peace officers in winter months, and time spent ticketing property owners will take away from their other duties.
The city said the added workload will be balanced “using the compliance continuum,” focusing first on educating property owners on their responsibilities before issuing fines on a case-bycase basis.