RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – In the days following one of the biggest snowstorms ever to hit central Virginia, there’s something Richmond property owners are not doing to their sidewalks that could cost them a hefty fee.
Emma Duke was hard at work Monday afternoon outside her Cherry Street apartment, shoveling piles of weekend snow from her sidewalk. What she didn’t know is that she was saving herself a potential fine of $250.
According to a Richmond city code, if you own a property along a public sidewalk it is your job to make sure it is clear of snow.
“I didn’t know that, but my parents have always told me to do it just as common courtesy,” Duke told 8News.
Snow must be cleared within six hours after a snowfall ends. If it stops falling during the night like it did over the weekend, you have until 11 the next morning. Technically, that deadline was Sunday, January 24 for city dwellers. Believe it or not, failure to pick up your shovel is a class 1 misdemeanor.
“It’s tough,’ Duke said. “There’s a lot of snow on the ground; it’s a little icy, getting a little hard.”
Between digging out curbside cars and shoveling sidewalks, places to pile the snow were scarce.
“I’m guessing (we’re supposed to put it) just in between the sidewalk and the street, so there’s going be a bunch of piles in between,” said Duke.
With thousands of blocks still buried, the verdict is out on how strictly the city will enforce the code.
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