Keeping Sidewalks Safe - Keeping Woodfords Corner Walkable
Sidewalk Snow Clearing Rules
o Residents and businesses are typically responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property. Business owners have 12 hours following a winter storm to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property. Residential owners have 18 hours to clear snow and ice abutting their property following the end of a storm or when the City finishes snow removal operations, whichever is later. The City of Portland only clears sidewalks shown on this map.[1]
o Residents and businesses must clear public sidewalks and sidewalk access ramps of snow and ice to a width of 4 feet (1.22 meters). Snow cannot be pushed or dumped from driveways or parking lots onto public access sidewalks or access ramps.
o Residents and businesses whose properties abut a sidewalk leading to an intersection are responsible for clearing 4-foot path to the curb cut or to the curb at the intersection, providing access to the street, adjacent ADA ramps, crosswalks, and any pedestrian signal buttons.
o Business owners who fail to remove snow and ice within these time frames risk facing a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second offense within the same winter season and $1,000 for any subsequent offense within the same winter season. Additionally, should the city have to remove the snow and ice or arrange for its removal, the property owner will be charged for the cost of removal plus a 10% charge for administration.
o Residential owners can be fined $75 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense in the same winter season and $250 for any subsequent offense in the same winter season. Like business owners, should the city have to remove the snow and ice or arrange for its removal, the property owner will be charged for the cost of removal plus a 10% charge for administration.
· Sidewalk Snow Clearing Tips
o Free Sand and Salt: the City has a supply of free sand and pet-safe salt mix located at the Little League parking lot in Payson Park. This sand and salt is for residential use only (contractors are not allowed). Residents may take two 5-gallon pails at a time (bring your own shovel).
o Residents are encouraged to help neighbors who are physically unable (elderly and disabled) to clear their sidewalks. For more information on the City’s Volunteer Shoveling Program, please contact Linda Weare 207-541-6620 or Isw@portlandmaine.gov.
o Residents are encouraged to help the Portland Fire Department by keeping areas around fire hydrants clear of snow and ice.
o Residents can consider becoming a volunteer for the Adopt-A-Stop program, which uses volunteers to ensure that bus stops are kept clear.[2]
o Go the extra foot (or two)! Shovel 1-2 feet past your property line to ensure that everyone has continuous, snow-free sidewalks.
o Anyone can report concerns (e.g. sidewalks that are not cleared of snow and/or ice) using the City’s Fix it website or through the See Click Fix mobile app, available via the Apple or Android App Store. Alternatively, residents with sidewalk plowing concerns can call 207-874-8793.[3]
[1] http://www.portlandmaine.gov/1422/Winter-Sidewalks
Residents and businesses need to make sure that the cut-outs to crosswalks are also cleared.
We’d all feel good having our kids and grandparents walk down this sidewalk.