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Clearing Snow and Ice from City Sidewalks
For the purpose of clarifying that the City is allowed to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in the City at the expense of the adjacent property owner if the owner fails to do so; requiring the snow removal be the width of the sidewalk or at least four feet wide for wider sidewalks; updating the citation and appeals sections; and generally related to cleaning and clearing of sidewalks.
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CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Ordinance 6-25
Introduced by: Alderman Huntley
Co-sponsored by: Alderman Savidge
Referred to: Environmental Matters Committee
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Clearing Snow and Ice from City Sidewalks
FOR the purpose of clarifying that the City is allowed to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in the City at the expense of the adjacent property owner if the owner fails to do so; requiring the snow removal be the width of the sidewalk or at least four feet wide for wider sidewalks; updating the citation and appeals sections; and generally related to cleaning and clearing of sidewalks.
BY repealing and reenacting with amendments the following portions of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2025 Edition:
14.04.050
14.04.060
14.04.070
BY repealing the following portions of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2025 Edition:
14.24.010
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Local Government Article § 5-217 of the Maryland Code as Annotated, "A municipality may require the owners of property to keep the sidewalks on the property clean and free from snow, ice, or other obstructions."
SECTION I: BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the Code of the City of Annapolis shall be amended to read as follows:
Title 14 - STREETS, SIDEWALKS, PUBLIC PLACES, AND SMALL CELL SYSTEMS
Chapter 14.04 - Sidewalks
Section 14.04.050 - Sidewalk maintenance by abutting owner.
A. Each person owning property abutting a Right-of-Way with a paved sidewalk or owning the property holding a paved sidewalk shall:
1. Keep the sidewalk clean of manufactured debris and snow consistent with Section 14.24.010 § 14.04.060 so as not to present a safety hazard to pedestrians or to block or limit access.
2. For a sidewalk that is out of repair or in bad condition.
a. Immediately barricade the sidewalk area that poses a safety hazard due to disrepair,
b. Provide lighting at night, and
c. Immediately notify the Director of Public Works that repairs of the defective sidewalk are needed.
B. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a municipal infraction and is subject to a fine as established by resolution of the City Council.
Section 14.04.060 - Cleaning, clearing, and maintenance by the City.
If owners of property to whom notice has been given as provided for in either Section 14.04.020 or Section 14.04.050 fail or refuse to keep the sidewalks clean, clear, and properly maintained, the Director of Public Works shall cause the work to be done in a suitable manner, and shall certify the cost of the work to the Director of Finance, who shall issue a bill for the work to the property owners. If the cost is not paid prior to the time when bills are issued for real estate taxes, the Director of Finance shall include the cost upon the tax bill for the property owners, and the cost shall be collected as other City taxes are collected, and constitute a lien upon the abutting property.
Section 14.04.060 - Clearing Sidewalks of Snow, Sleet, and Ice.
A. Snow, Sleet, and Ice Removal Criteria.
1. Property owners or occupants with a sidewalk adjacent to their property must remove any snow, sleet, or ice from that sidewalk within three hours after the precipitation has stopped.
2. If snow or sleet stops falling between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m., it must be cleared by 11 a.m. the following morning.
3. The cleared sidewalk area must be at least four feet wide or the full width of the sidewalk, whichever is smaller.
B. Failure to Clear, Clean or Maintain.
1. If property owners or occupants do not remove snow, sleet, and ice from the sidewalk adjacent to their property, they may receive a notice of infraction.
2. The notice will be placed on the front door or entrance of the property and delivered to the property owner’s listed address by certified mail.
3. If the snow, sleet, and ice are not removed by 8 a.m. the following day after receiving the notice, the Director of Public Works is authorized to arrange for the necessary cleaning, clearing, and maintenance of the subject sidewalk remaining uncleared.
Section 14.04.070 Appeal from notice to clean, clear, and maintain.
A person aggrieved by the decision of the Director of Public Works as to the necessity of cleaning, clearing, and properly maintaining their sidewalks may appeal to the Board of Appeals, whose decision shall be final. An appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within thirty days following the issuance of the notice to install or repair has been given by the Director.
Section 14.04.070 - Violations, Citations, and Appeals.
A. Violations. Any person who violates this chapter is guilty of a municipal infraction and is subject to a fine as established by annual resolution of the City Council.
B. Citations.
1. Property owners who have received notice from the City regarding failure or refusal to keep the sidewalks clean, clear, and well-maintained, they will be considered to have committed a municipal infraction, and a citation may be issued by the responsible department.
2. If there is a public health, safety, or welfare issue that requires the immediate cleaning or clearing of a sidewalk, the Director may take action to clear the sidewalk. In such cases, a fee will be imposed, as determined annually by the City Council.
3. The Director may seek reimbursement as part of the municipal infraction case brought in Court, pursuant to § 1.20 General Penalty and Municipal Infractions, requesting the court issue an order to the owner to reimburse the City for the costs associated with the abatement activity.
4. The Director may adjust the reimbursement amount for residential property owners who are 65 years old or older, qualify for low-income relief, or have other relevant circumstances that warrant such an adjustment.
C. Appeals.
1. A person aggrieved by the decision of the Director of Public Works as to the necessity of cleaning, clearing, and properly maintaining their sidewalks may appeal to the Board of Appeals, whose decision shall be final.
2. An appeal shall be filed with the City Clerk within 30 days following the issuance of the notice to install or repair has been given by the Director.
Chapter 14.24 - Snow and Ice Removal
Section 14.24.010 - Adjoining occupant to clear the sidewalk.
A. A person owning or occupying a lot or part of a lot fronting on any sidewalk shall cause all snow, sleet or ice to be removed from the sidewalk, so far as the lot abuts the sidewalk, within three hours after the snow or sleet have stopped falling; provided, that when snow or sleet shall have ceased to fall between the hours of three p.m. and six a.m., the snow or sleet shall be removed before eleven a.m.
B. A violation of this section shall be a municipal infraction and is subject to a fine as established by resolution of the City Council.
SECTION II: AND BE IT FURTHER ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this ordinance shall take effect upon passage.