You Could Be Fined Over $250 For Not Shovelling Snow In Vancouver & A Snowstorm Is Coming
Keep the sidewalk outside your home clear, or else!
Vancouver's weather forecast is calling for a big snowstorm to hit on Tuesday, and if you're not careful you might get hit by a minimum $250 fine.
In Vancouver, you need to shovel the sidewalk in front of your property before 10 a.m. following a snowfall, or you might face a hefty fine. So, beware of sleeping in, or going on a vacation.
It typically doesn't snow that much in the West Coast city, but this year is looking chilly already, with up to 15 cm of snow predicted to come through Wednesday. The snow is starting on Tuesday, so get those shovels ready before 10 a.m.!
According to the city website, it's not just snow you have to get rid of.
"Vancouver property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks in front of and, if on a corner lot, alongside their property by 10am the morning following a snowfall or freezing temperatures," it said.
You don't have to keep your own driveway clear, but you do need to make sure all the snow and ice are shovelled onto your property, leaving the sidewalk clear.
You're also responsible for clearing "storm drains of leaves and snow to prevent flooding."
If you can't clear your sidewalk or you're planning a vacation you can get a "Snow Angel" volunteer to help. You can also volunteer to be a Snow Angel, and help people keep their sidewalks clear!
If you don't manage to get your sidewalk cleared of snow and ice, you might be facing tickets or fines, or both.
According to the City of Vancouver Street and Traffic By-law, "except where any special penalty is provided for, every person who commits an offence against this by-law is liable to a fine and penalty not less than $250.00 and not exceeding $2,000.00."
Do you have to shovel your sidewalk Vancouver?
You do have to shovel your sidewalk in Vancouver before 10 a.m., after a snowfall or freezing temperatures.
How much you get fined could depend on if the city has to get someone else to remove the snow.
"If an owner or occupier of any parcel of real property fails to remove snow and ice, as required by section 76, the City Engineer may authorize the removal by another person and the costs of such removal shall be at the expense of the owner or occupier as the case may be, and the city may recover such expense by action in a court of competent jurisdiction," the by-law said.
