Dumping snow in street could bring hefty fine

When it comes to shoveling or plowing snow, Salisbury officials have a message for property owners: Don’t put it in the street.

City Council members on Monday night gave preliminary approval to adding hefty fines for plowing, pushing or dumping snow or ice onto city streets. Anyone in violation will be fined $250 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense.

The practice creates a safety hazard on streets that have been plowed, said Tom Stevenson, director of field operations.

The amendment to the city code is geared mostly to contractors hired to plow parking lots at commercial properties, but it can apply to homeowners, too, he said during a Nov. 7 work session.

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City Councilman Jim Ireton said property owners need a "gentle reminder" about their snow removal responsibilities and said the rules should be posted on the city's website.

"Sometimes it's easier to push it right out there (onto the street), and we have to be reminded over and over again that it's got to go the other way," he said.

The City Council is scheduled to hold the second reading of the ordinance and give final approval at its Nov. 27 meeting.

City code already requires property owners to clear a 4-foot-wide path on their sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow or ice has stopped falling. Failure to do so can result in a $50 fine.

Residential property owners who are unable to shovel their own sidewalks due to age or disability can ask for an exemption from the city, but the cost of snow removal will be added to their tax bills.

Twitter: @LizHolland5