City of Bend: Shovel snow off sidewalk, or you could get a ticket

City says they have sent out at least 2,000 warning letters in past years

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend homeowners have 24 hours to clear snow off their sidewalks after the snowfall stops, or they could receive a citation, the city warns. Businesses have less time -- within six hours of daylight after the snowfall.

The city says property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their property. According to the city of Bend, city workers do not shovel sidewalks for private property owners.

The city code says failure to maintain sidewalks could subject businesses to penalties up to $400. Homeowners could face a maximum civil penalty of $200, after one warning.

With the first snowstorm of the season approaching, David Abbas, the director of streets and operations with the city, said Monday it's not too early to bring out your snow shovels.

"Our code enforcement has the ability to cite for folks that aren’t taking care of their sidewalk," Abbas said. "Same goes for our staff as well. After our staff is done plowing snow (during the work day), they've got to go home and do their sidewalk as well."

The city provides the following tips for removing snow off the sidewalks:

• Make sure to shovel the snow off the sidewalk on your property and not into the street
• If city workers happen to plow snow back onto the sidewalk while clearing the street, it’s still your responsibility to clear the sidewalk (though they try not to do that whenever possible). 
• If an elderly person or other neighbor in need may need help shoveling, please consider doing it for them.
• You can also hire a licensed contractor for snow removal.

For more information: https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/community-development/code-enforcement-division/sidewalk-snow-and-ice-removal