Winter has officially started to poke its head around the corner with snowfall hitting the Foothill area.
While it's never a blissful experience getting out in the cold and plowing snow off your property, it's important to stay on top of it as it is a safety hazard to not shovel, and it could cost you a pretty penny.
According to the High River Bylaw:
- Snow and ice shall be removed from a sidewalk down to a bare surface within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall event.
- Dirt and debris shall be removed from a sidewalk down to a bare surface within 24 hours after it has been deposited.
- Snow, ice, dirt, and debris cleared from a premises, driveway, or Walkway shall: Be stored on the premises, and not be placed onto a public space.
- Snow and ice removed from a Sidewalk or driveway apron may be placed on an immediately adjacent Boulevard unless a Peace Officer determines that doing so interferes with the safety of pedestrians and Vehicle traffic.
- No Person shall damage any Sidewalk or Public Space under any circumstance while clearing snow, ice, dirt, and debris or completing any other task.
In addition, if any snow, dirt, or debris is not removed 24 hours after the snowfall, residents can be handed a fine ranging from $150.00 to $250.00 in High River.
Fines increase and range from $250.00 to $500.00 if snow, ice, dirt, or debris is deposited in a public space that's not a boulevard adjacent to the property. The same range of fines can be handed out if any damage is done to a sidewalk.
In Okotoks, the bylaw states that they will charge $250.00 to any property that fails to remove snow, ice, and debris.