Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal
Winter is a wonderful time of year. Unfortunately, the snow and ice it brings can create hazards for pedestrians. HRM By-Law S-300, Part 1 reduces the risk of injuries to pedestrians by regulating the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks abutting properties and removal of icicles from buildings bordering a sidewalk or street.
Failure to properly removal snow and ice
is a quality-of-life issue:
- Many residents of the HRM depend upon clear sidewalks for their outdoor mobility. For some, the fear of falling prevents them from enjoying an active lifestyle during the winter months.
may be a hazard:
- Sidewalks free of snow and ice are essential to the safety of children making their way to school, workers commuting to their jobs, service providers performing their duties or people taking their daily walk.
- Seniors, persons in wheelchairs and others with mobility challenges are at particular risk of a slip and fall accident due to uncleared sidewalks.
Property Owner's Responsibility
Property owners in Peninsular Halifax, Armdale, Purcell’s Cove and Spryfield, who do not receive sidewalk snow and ice removal service from the Municipality, and are not located on a major arterial road, e.g., Barrington Street, Spring Garden Road, Quinpool Road, Bay Road, Dutch Village Road a bus route are required by HRM By-Law S-300 Part 1 Section 4 (1) to:
- clear snow and ice from all sidewalks abutting their property. Where a residential property abuts sidewalks at both the front and the rear of the property, snow and ice must be removed from the front sidewalk where the civic address is posted.
- clear snow and ice from any pathways leading from a sidewalk to the roadway.
- clear snow and ice from any paths between a sidewalk and a crosswalk. A crosswalk is implied at every intersection whether or not there are lines painted for the crosswalk.
Sidewalks must be cleared to bare pavement for a minimum width of three feet or the full width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
Snow and ice removal must be completed within twelve hours after the end of any snowfall, or six hours after daylight when the snow has stopped falling during the night.
Prohibition Against Depositing Snow in Streets
HRM By-Law S-300, Part 1, Section 4 (2) prohibits anyone from depositing now on the street.
Removal of Icicles From Buildings
HRM By-Law S-300, Part 2 requires property owners to keep buildings on their property free of icicles that may pose a hazard to people passing on the street.
Violating Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Regulations
- Sidewalk snow and ice removal - property owners in violation of Part 1 of By-Law S-300 will receive a 24 Hour Order advising them to clear their sidewalk. Failure to comply with the Order will result in the HRM removing the snow and ice and issuing an invoice to the property owner for the cost of the removal. The property owner may also be issued a Summary Offence Ticket of $227.41 or greater.
- Removal of icicles from buildings - property owners in violation of Part 2 of By-Law S-300 will receive a 24 Hour Order advising them to remove icicles from their building. Property owners who do not comply with the Order will be issued a Summary Offence Ticket of $227.41 or greater.
Dealing With A Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Issue
Residents who are experiencing an issue with property owners failing to remove snow and ice from sidewalks should:
- speak to the property owner. The property owner may not be aware of regulations.
- contact By-Law Services at 490-4000, 1(800) 835-6428 (Toll free Nova Scotia only) if:
- they are unable/unwilling to contact the property owner.
- they have spoken with the property owner but there has been no attempt to address the issue.
When reporting a sidewalk snow and ice removal issue, residents should provide the civic address of the property where the section of the sidewalk is located.
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