Snow has returned to Montana and that means Missoulians with sidewalks are under strict orders to get those sidewalks shoveled. Missoula City Code Compliance Manager Gregg Wood explains the law.

"On weekdays, when there is a snow event, citizens are required to clear the sidewalks adjacent to their property by nine o'clock, on weekends, it is by noon," Wood said. "So, we're asking for citizen's to get out there and make sure the sidewalks are safe for those traveling by foot."

Wood wants the public to call if neighbors aren’t clearing their sidewalks.

"Call 552-6630 and let us know the address," Wood said. "We will get an inspector out there. If we go there and it has not been cleared, we will try to contact the owner, knock on the door, if not we will leave them a flyer letting them know that we have been by and giving them 24 hours to clear it."

Wood says that 2013, he received up to 40 calls a day on snow days. For the city to clear a sidewalk there is a minimum charge of $66, which is made up of a half-hour’s work at $28 and an administrative fee of $38, the costs go up from there.

Wood said that the average cost per sidewalk is around $100 to $108 because crews usually have to come back to do more work on sidewalks that don't get cleared so that they can use de-icer to get rid of the build-up.

 

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