Public Services Department Michael J.

Bobinsky

October 16, 2012

Proposed Rules and Regulations Governing Exceptions to the Requirement for Residential Property Owners to Clear Sidewalks Abutting their Property The following proposed rules and regulations shall be established and implemented by the Department of Public Services as indicated in Portland City Code Section 25-177.5. This section is the Rules and Regulations, governing exceptions to the requirement for residential property owners to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk abutting their residential properties. These exceptions to such removal is to take into account pedestrian safety, the Citys priority snow removal sidewalk areas, and whether the property is on a street where sidewalks are to be plowed by the City on at least one side. Whenever snow accumulations of a single snow event exceeds six (6) inches the City Manager or his/her designee, may, in his/her discretion, extend the time frame in which property owners must clear snow and ice accumulation from abutting sidewalks, from -hours after City-wide plowing operations have ceased for that specific storm, to a longer period of time, taking into account the severity of the storm, the likelihood of additional snow falling, and the weather immediately following such storm. That longer period for removal will be publicly noticed using local media outlets including social media features which are reasonably available. Single family residential properties with sidewalks abutting principal arterials or in excess of three lanes of traffic may request a waiver from removing snow from the Director of Public Services. The Public Services Director will promptly have the accumulation of snow assessed and determine whether it is unreasonable for the resident to remove it, and to provide a waiver if warranted, taking into account the criteria in the first paragraph. This exemption possibility is available only for residential properties that abut principal arterials or streets with multiple lanes of traffic. Residential units are defined as a single family dwelling or a two family duplex property. Once it has been determined that the sidewalk should be exempted, it shall be exempted from the sidewalk snow clearing ordinances for the balance of the winter. Once a sidewalk or area of sidewalks have been exempted from the sidewalk snow clearing ordinance, the resident of the abutting property shall be considered exempt from the ordinance for the balance of that winter season.

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Portland, Maine 04101-2921

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