Public Service Announcement

Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal in the Former City of Halifax

(December 20, 2005)-- Many residents of the HRM, including school children, seniors, persons in wheelchairs and those with other physical challenges, depend on cleared sidewalks for their safe, outdoor mobility.

In light of recent snow events, the HRM reminds property owners in the former city of Halifax (with the exception of District 10- Clayton Park West, District 15- Fairview-Clayton Park, and District 16 Rockingham-Wentworth) that they must keep their sidewalks clear of ice and snow.

HRM will be enhancing service in the areas currently not receiving sidewalk snow removal service, by clearing snow and ice from sidewalk curb cuts to enable pedestrian traffic to move through the intersection, from one sidewalk to the opposite sidewalk.

Part One of By-Law S-300 requires property owners to enable pedestrian traffic by:

• clearing snow and ice from all sidewalks abutting their property. In cases where a residential property has frontage on both the front and the rear, snow and ice must be removed from the front sidewalk where the civic address is posted.

Sidewalks must be cleared to bare pavement for a minimum width of three feet. Snow and ice removal must be completed within 12 hours after the end of any snowfall, or six(6) hours after daylight, when the snow has stopped falling during the night.

Property owners in violation of Part One of By-Law S-300 will receive a notice advising them that their sidewalk must be cleared within 24 hours. Failure to comply with the notice will result in the HRM removing the snow and ice, and issuing an invoice to the property owner for the cost of the removal. Repeat offenders may be issued a Summary Offense Ticket (SOT) of $215.00 or greater.

To register a sidewalk snow and ice removal complaint, please call the HRM Corporate Call Centre at 490-4000.

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John O’Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531