The City’s Municipal Code was amended in 2007 to provide specific requirements for removal of snow from sidewalks in designated areas.
Property owners within the City’s University District and Downtown Business District are required to remove snow from sidewalks after at least two (2) inches of accumulation and also after accumulations of ice, sleet, or freezing rain.
Ordinance Highlights
- Snowfall event.
A two inch snowfall triggers the requirement to remove the snow. - Freezing rain event.
Property owners would be required to remove or apply abrasives after an accumulation of ice, sleet, or freezing rain. - Area of coverage.
The Ordinance is effective in the University District and Downtown Business District. - Responsibility.
The property owner is responsible for removal, and, in the case of a single family residence, the person in control, if different than the owner, is also responsible. - Notification.
The Public Works Director would provide public notice when sidewalks need to be cleared. - Time to clear.
Owners would have 48 hours after the announcement of the Public Works Director to clear sidewalks. - Violation.
If owners fail to comply with the Ordinance, the City will clear the sidewalk and bill the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of this Ordinance?
The goal of this Ordinance is to maintain accessibility for the general public who rely on our sidewalk system to carry out their daily activities. - When is the Ordinance effective?
The Ordinance is effective November 1, 2007 for the Downtown Business District and University District. - What does the Ordinance require me to do?
Property owners are required to clear the public sidewalk of snow and ice for public access. The Ordinance requires that a 48″path be cleared for the full frontage of the property. For those property owners adjacent to an intersection or public crosswalk, a path must be cleared to the street. This requirement is effective after a winter storm event of 2″ or greater of snow or a declared ice event. - How will I know when these requirements are effective?
The City’s Public Works Director will make an official declaration and send it to all news media outlets for announcement. Citizens can also visit the City’s website and Cable Channel 5 for announcements. - What if it takes multiple storms to reach the 2″ threshold?
The Public Works Director will make the determination of when the official declaration will be made for individuals to begin clearing their sidewalks. - How long will I have to shovel the snow or clear the ice, sleet, or freezing rain?
You will have 48 hours to clear sidewalks after the public announcement by the Public Works Director. - Where am I expected to put the snow?
You are expected to store the snow on your property if possible or in the parkway between the sidewalk and the street curb. Please bear in mind that streets with on-street parking still need access to vehicles and parking meters. Your help in ensuring access is appreciated. Do not deposit snow onto City streets. - What if I can’t clear off the snow, ice, sleet or freezing rain because it has become too hard?
The ordinance requires you to spread sand, salt or other abrasive material and make a reasonable effort to clear the walk. - Will the City of Champaign comply with this requirement?
Yes. The City of Champaign will clear all sidewalks around City-owned property. This work will be contracted given the large number of City properties. - How much of the sidewalk do I need to clear?
You are required to clear the full width of the sidewalk or 48 inches (4 feet) whichever is less in width. You must clear the entire length of your property. Property owners on corner lots are also required to shovel paths to the nearest crosswalk. - What if the snow plow pushes snow back onto the sidewalk?
The ordinance states that owners must maintain the sidewalk in a reasonably clear manner after the initial clearance. - Would the passage of this ordinance increase civil liability?
The weight of legal authority indicates that the ordinance itself imposes no additional civil liability on individuals for shoveling snow. Like any legal question, there is no absolute answer that fits all circumstances. - What is the Downtown Business Area and University District?
See Attached Map - Is there some way my neighbors and I can organize to clear an area?
Yes. Individual neighborhoods, streets, districts are free to contract for the removal system that best meets their needs. The City encourages this, however will not play a role in organizing such groups. Interested parties may contact the City for a list of contractors or volunteers qualified to do this work. - Do other communities have this requirement?
Currently, 10 of the 11 Big Ten communities have snow shoveling requirements as well as many cities in Illinois over 25,000 in population. - What are the penalties?
If a person fails to clear snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain, the City or its contractor will do it. After the City completes the work, the person will be billed for the City’s cost, plus administrative costs.
