Reminder: Shovel your sidewalks

With more snow moving into the area, the City of Rochester is reminding residents and property owners to clear their sidewalks.

City Ordinance 72.02 requires property owners with a public sidewalk or path abutting their property to fully remove snow and ice within 24-hours after a snowfall.  The full sidewalk width must be free of snow and ice and pathways must have a clear path that is at least 5 feet wide. If you have neighbors who have been unable to clear their walks, consider checking in with them about whether they need help. There are some organizations in the community that can help with identifying ongoing assistance if that is a need as well, but those services need to be arranged in advance.

“We encourage everyone in our community to ensure they clear their sidewalks and fire hydrants,” Chris Petree, director of Rochester Public Works, said in an announcement Monday. “While we know this can be a tedious task, it is very important to ensure the safety of all our residents.”

In addition to clearing sidewalks and fire hydrants, the city is asking community members to be timely in removing waste and recycling containers from the paths of snow plows.

With each round of snow, the City of Rochester is responsible for clearing over 500 miles of street, 544 cul-de-sacs and 9 miles of alleys.