Depending on Where You Are, Shoveling Scofflaws Could Cost You

Steve Burns
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Assuming we get snow this winter, different jurisdictions have different laws encouraging residents and business owners to clear their sidewalks, ranging from lax to quite stringent.

On the “honor system” end, Fairfax County’s website states there is “no legal obligation” to get residents to clear sidewalks, but it’s the neighborly thing to do.

On the other end of that spectrum lies Prince George’s County. “We will send inspectors out 24 hours after an inclement weather event has stopped,” said County spokeswoman Susan Hubbard. “They’ll leave a friendly door hanger to encourage folks to please remove it. We would then put a violation notice on their door. Folks need to be really careful, because a violation notice carries with it a $100 a day fine.”

Neighboring Montgomery County issued two citations last year for noncompliance. “It’s a $50 fine, but really we count on voluntary compliance,” said County Spokesman Patrick Lacefield. “We respond to complaints. We don’t generally roll around looking for sidewalks, so to speak.”

Arlington County operates in a similar fashion, giving homeowners 36 hours to clear sidewalks or face a $50 or $100 fine depending on the length of the sidewalk, relying on complaints filed through the County website.

“The entire ordinance was put in place not because Arlingtonians weren’t taking care of clearing their sidewalks,” said Gary Greene, Arlington County’s Code Enforcement Manager. “The issue that we had was the neighbor or the person down the block that said, ‘Well, you can’t make me do it. There’s not a law.’ Well, now there is.”

The District has new laws going into effect this winter as well. Previously, there were no fines, but a homeowner was billed for any snow removal costs the city incurred clearing sidewalks, though that came to be almost nonexistent. Now, a resident or business owner is given a warning 24 hours after a storm has ended, then fined $25 a day until the sidewalk is cleared.