City Reminder: Keep Sidewalks Clear of Snow and Ice

"Removing snow and ice from sidewalks is another way you may help keep our community safe and accessible to neighbors, children walking to school, and visitors. Recent changes to Municipal Code Chapter 9.11 — Clearing Snow and Ice from Sidewalks — may affect Cedar Rapids residents and property owners. A summary of adopted changes is below:

Reduced timeframe for snow clearance 

• The new timeframe to clear sidewalks of snow and ice following a winter storm is 24 hours. The timeframe is down from 48 hours previously.

New civil citation and formal appeal process 

• If the City receives a report of sidewalks with lingering snow and ice, an inspector may arrive as soon as 48 hours after a snow or ice storm. This is down from 96 hours. If the sidewalk is out of compliance, a new $35 civil citation will be assessed. Previously, there was no citation fee during the inspection process. A formal process is available for residents to appeal the citation.

Additional clarity for sidewalk clearance

• New language specifies property owners must clear the entire width of abutting public sidewalks and pedestrian curb ramps.​

The abatement fee is unchanged

• If a sidewalk is out of compliance upon inspection, a citation notice will be affixed to the front door of the property. A snow-removal crew will arrive the next day to clear the sidewalk. If the sidewalk remains out of compliance and the City needs to remove snow and/or ice, the initial fee remains $313, subject to the scope of work performed.

Learn how a new Snow Buddies program is pairing snow-removal volunteer assistance with residents in need:
CityofCR.com/SnowBuddies"