Editor’s note: We first did this story back in February of 2011 when we got a bit of snow so thought it was time for a reminder. The law is still on the books but I wouldn’t expect to see any code enforcement staff knocking on your door anytime soon. (LD)
Is it Noon yet?
Did you know that the City of Everett has an ordinance on the books that property owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their places clean?
That includes getting snow removed by Noon.
No word on the punishment or whether it’s ever been enforced but we checked with the City and the law is still on the books. It was last updated 45 years ago. Here are the specific city codes
Chapter 13.08
SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE
Sections:
13.08.010 Maintenance of sidewalks—Duty of abutting property owners.
13.08.020 Snow or ice—To be removed by noon.
13.08.010 Maintenance of sidewalks—Duty of abutting property owners.
Whenever any street, lane, square, place or alley in the city has been improved by the construction of sidewalk or sidewalks along either or both sides thereof, the duty, burden, and expense of repair, renewal, maintenance, and removal of obstructions and snow from such sidewalk or sidewalks shall be to the property owner directly abutting upon that side of such street along which the said sidewalk has been constructed. (Ord. 322-74 § 1, 1974)
13.08.020 Snow or ice—To be removed by noon.
The owner, agent, occupant or person in charge of each and every tenement, building or vacant property fronting upon or adjoining any street on which sidewalks exist shall clean by noon the sidewalk in front of or adjoining such building, or unoccupied lot or building, as the case may be, of snow or ice to the width of said sidewalk and cause the same to be kept clean from snow or ice. (Ord. 322-74 § 2, 1974)
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February 11, 2019
Everett