Residents and business owners in Saskatoon are being reminded of the city's strict sidewalk clearing regulations, with potential fines reaching up to $1,000 for violations. The rules dictate how and when snow must be removed to ensure safe passage for all pedestrians.
Clearing Timelines and Proper Snow Disposal
Under the City of Saskatoon's Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, residential property owners have 48 hours after a snowfall ends to clear their sidewalks. For non-residential properties, including businesses, the deadline is tighter, requiring clearance within just 24 hours. This 24-hour rule for businesses was a recent addition to the bylaw, implemented in September 2024.
The city emphasizes that sidewalks must be cleared to create a flat, wide path to safely accommodate all pedestrians, including those using wheelchairs and other mobility aids. When it comes to disposing of the snow, the bylaw is specific: it should be placed on your own private property.
Shovelling or snowblowing snow onto the street is generally prohibited. However, the city acknowledges an exception if placing it on private property is genuinely impractical. If snow must be placed on the road, it cannot create a hazard, interfere with traffic, or affect drainage. Improperly dumping snow onto roadways is a finable offence.
Financial Penalties and City Intervention
Failing to comply with the bylaw can hit residents in the wallet. The fine structure is as follows:
- A $100 fine for a first offence.
- A $200 fine for a second offence.
- A $1,000 fine for every subsequent offence (or $2,000 for corporations).
The bylaw also notes that unpaid fines could potentially result in jail time. Beyond issuing fines, the city has another enforcement tool. If a property owner fails to clear their walk, the city may complete the snow removal work itself and add the cost directly to that property's tax roll.
Common violations that trigger fines include damaging the sidewalk with a snowblower, failing to clear snow within the allotted time, and shovelling snow in a manner that obstructs roadways.
How to Report Issues and Other Winter Hazards
Residents who notice a sidewalk that hasn't been cleared can file a complaint through the city's Good Neighbour Guide. This process typically starts with a warning, giving the property owner a chance to rectify the situation before a fine is issued.
The guide also addresses another common winter tripping hazard: extension cords for vehicle block heaters. While acknowledged as a potential danger, the city allows cords to run across sidewalks provided they are laid flat, are highly visible, and are moved back onto private property when not in use.
It's important to note the city handles clearing for its own infrastructure. Sidewalks at city-owned facilities, pedestrian overpasses, bridge walkways, and certain downtown sidewalks with landscaping will be cleared by the city after a snowfall of more than five centimetres. Lighted park pathways are cleared within 48 hours after a storm ends.
With winter in full force, understanding and following these regulations is key for Saskatoon residents to avoid penalties and help keep the community's walkways safe and accessible for everyone.
